According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number three cause of death in the United States and is the leading cause of long-term disability. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies from stroke every 4 minutes. Approximately 795,000 Americans will have a stroke this year.

What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when there is inadequate blood flow to a localized area of the brain. Without blood flow, the brain cells die, rendering that area of the brain unable to communicate properly with the rest of the body. Symptoms of a stroke can vary depending on how much tissue is affected and in what area of the brain the stroke occurs.

Warning signs of a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

What are the risk factors for having a stroke?

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol

• An irregular heart beat or a condition called atrial fibrillation

How can you reduce your risk for having a stroke?

Exercise, eat healthy, and reduce your alcohol intake. If you smoke – quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control – and keeping them under control – will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.