Health & Fitness
May Stroke Month Safety Tips
Keep yourself and your loved ones safe during summer months with these stroke safety tips.
NORTH ANDOVER- As summer weather swings through New England and you and your loved ones spend more time enjoying the fine weather, the North Andover Fire Department would like to remind you that with the change in season, comes a new host of health issues.
May is National Stroke Month and while heatstroke doesn't necessarily fall into the same category as main stroke types, its onset can be prevented by a lot of the same precautions.
Approximately 800,000 Americans will suffer from a stroke this year, according to the Stroke Association; it is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, strokes are easily preventable. Here are a few tips and facts from the North Andover Fire Department and the American Heart Association.
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Anyone can have a stroke, including teens and children. If someone appears to be exhibiting symptoms of a stroke, do not ignore them, seek help immediately. About 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, according to the Heart Association, making timing everything. Symptoms include face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty.
High blood pressure makes individuals susceptible to both heatstroke and the three main types of strokes. "About 80 million Americans have high blood pressure, yet about half with this condition do not have it under control," states the American Heart Association. "Three out of four people who have a first stroke report blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm Hg, making blood pressure the most important controllable risk factor for stroke.
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A heatstroke is not as serious as regular strokes, but can be deadly nonetheless. Its onset is indicated by red, hot skin, loss of consciousness, rapid and weak pulse, and rapid and shallow breathing, according to the fire department.
Preventing heatstroke is an easy feat though; wearing light-colored and light-weight clothing in addition to covering your head and drinking plenty of water are the best way to stave off heat-related illnesses!
If you suspect someone is suffering from a stroke or from heatstroke, call 9-1-1.
Test your stroke knowledge here.
Photo courtesy of Jesse Orrico
