May is American Stroke Month

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Stroke affects people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Fortunately, most strokes are preventable, and we can all take steps now to avoid having a stroke.

Stroke is the No. 3 killer of Americans and a leading cause of disability. Each year, nearly 780,000 Americans have a stroke.

Signs of a Stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

At Risk
Some people have a higher risk of stroke than others. About 60,000 more women than men suffer a stroke each year. Also, people with high blood pressure (140/90+) have about twice the risk of stroke as people with blood pressure under 120/80. High blood pressure means that the pressure in your arteries is consistently above the normal range.

10 Ways to Control Your High Blood Pressure

1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked regularly.
2. Know what your weight should be. Keep it at or below that level.
3. Avoid salty foods. Don’t use too much salt in cooking or at meals.
4. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain high-fiber foods according to American Heart Association recommendations.
5. Control alcohol intake. Don’t have more than one drink a day. if you’re a woman or two a day if you’re a man.
6. Take your blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed. Don’t run out of pills even for a single day.
7. Keep appointments with the doctor.
8. Get regular exercise according to your doctor’s directives.
9. Live a normal life in every other way.
10. Make sure all family members have their blood pressure checked regularly.

For more information please visit the Web sites below.