According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 795,000 people living in the United States experience a stroke every year. Are you at risk?

Because the condition is so common, our team at AFC Urgent Care Lake Oswego wanted to let you know the symptoms of a stroke, as well as how you can help to prevent a stroke from happening to you or a loved one.

What Happens When You Have a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood supply to your brain. There are three main types of stroke—transient, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic is the most common.

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, while a hemorrhagic stroke happens due to a ruptures or broken blood vessel.

Symptoms of a Stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination

What Can You Do to Prevent a Stroke?

The best thing you can do to try and prevent a stroke is doing all you can to live a healthy lifestyle. Maintain a healthy weight, get enough quality sleep and exercise for at least 30 minutes on a daily basis to help reduce your risk of stroke and protect your health.

Because medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes also increase your risk, it’s important to make sure you’re properly managing any chronic health conditions.

Stroke Risk Factors

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Advanced age
• Personal or family history of stroke
• Personal or family history of brain aneurysms

In need of a checkup? Visit AFC Urgent Care Lake Oswego today. No appointment is needed.