RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Nearly 6 million Americans have had a stroke since 2009 and the rate of stroke in our population is around 2.6 percent.
Almost 800,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke every year. Every 40 seconds a person in the U.S. suffers a stroke and projections show that by 2030, an additional 3.4 million people aged ≥18 years will have had a stroke, a 20.5 percent increase in prevalence from 2012. The highest increase (29 percent) is projected to be in Hispanic men.
Last year, strokes cost the U.S. nearly $33 billion in healthcare expenditures.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is impaired-most commonly with a blood clot. When this occurs, the area of brain supplied by the blocked blood vessel begins to die. Unless blood flow is quickly restored, permanent damage can occur. A stroke can be thought of in similar fashion to a heart attack. In fact, the American Heart Association sometimes refers to a stroke as a “brain attack.”
Risk factors for stroke are very similar to risk for heart disease and include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart rhythm disorders such as Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- High Cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity/Physical Inactivity
- Family History of stroke
In a survey, it was found that only 50 percent of Americans are aware of the symptoms of stroke. These symptoms most commonly are:
- Numbness in the face or limbs (one side)
- Drooping of one side of the face
- Weakness on one side or in one arm or leg
- Trouble speaking/slurring words/not making sense
- Sudden vision changes
- Trouble with balance/passing out
- Confusion
If you think you’re having a stroke then don’t delay – call 911 immediately.
Remember, “Time is Brain” and any delay can result in permanent damage and long-term disability. Emergency treatments can reverse the effects of a stroke by either using a drug to dissolve the blood clot that is causing the stroke or by using special catheters to open up blocked brain blood vessels. Either way, it is essential that treatment occurs within the first 90 minutes in order to be effective.To get in touch with Dr. Campbell, you can head to his website, Facebook page or message him on Twitter. If there’s a topic you’d like to see Dr. Campbell cover, let us know by sending an email to newstips@wncn.com.