Warning Signs & Risk Factors

Stroke is a medical emergency that can be prevented if we understand the risk factors, and learn the warning signs. There are two categories of risk factors – those factors that are unmanageable, or that which we cannot control or change, and factors that are manageable. If we adjust our lifestyle or environment to address the manageable factors, we can lower our risk for stroke.

Risk Factors

• Age – as our age goes up, so does our risk for a stroke.
• Family history of stroke.
• Gender – males are at a higher risk for stroke than women.
• Race – African-Americans are at a higher risk for stroke than other groups.
• Personal history of diabetes.

• Know and control your blood pressure.
• Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.
• Control your diabetes.
• Know and manage your cholesterol.
• Eat a low-sodium, low-fat diet.
• Control your weight.
• If you smoke, stop.
• If you use alcohol, do so only in moderation.
• Exercise regularly.

Warning Signs

• Sudden numbness or weakness of 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.

Not all of these warning signs occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and then return. If you have any cause for concern call 911 right away!

Evaluation & Treatment

The immediate minutes and hours following the onset of these warning signs are critical. According to the American Stroke Association, only 5 percent of stroke patients arrive at the hospital in time to receive treatment because most people don’t know the warning signs or don’t realize they should seek medical help immediately. In order to increase the chance of survival and recovery, it is vital to educate yourself and your family about the warning signs and obtain emergency care immediately by calling 911.

Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center is a designated Primary Stroke Center with dedicated teams of professionals committed to improving the recovery rate for stroke patients. Our teams provide the following:

• Initial emergency care.
• Early stabilization of brain and body functions.
• Appropriate referrals.
• Continuity of care through a team approach.
• Prevention of complications of stroke (e.g., pneumonia, bladder infections, muscle changes, and skin breakdown).
• Education.
• Rehabilitation.
• State-of-the-art Emergency Department

• Emergency Room physicians
• Neurologists
• Nurses
• Intensive Care/Critical Care specialists
• Physical Therapists
• Speech Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Case Managers/Social Workers