Stroke Care in Provo
Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults, teens, and children suffer from strokes. A stroke occurs when parts of your brain lose crucial blood flow, damaging blood cells and lessening brain function.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain suddenly stops. It can happen because of a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or because a blood vessel in your brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Your brain cells need oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood, so when a stroke happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke?
If you have a stroke you may experience sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on just one side of the body. You may get confused and have trouble speaking and understanding others when they are speaking. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes is common, as well as trouble walking or maintaining balance. Them most common symptom is a painful headache that sets in quickly.
**If you believe you are having a stroke, call 911 immediately.**
Ways to Lower Your Stroke Risk
Most of the risk factors in the chart above can be controlled or even eliminated. To help prevent a stroke and improve your overall health you can:
- Visit your doctor regularly. Your doctor can check for "silent" risk factors like high blood pressure and help you properly manage any chronic illness such a diabetes.
- Stop smoking. Quitting now will dramatically improve your health both now and in the future. it will lower your risk of having a stroke, as well as lower your risk of many other serious medical conditions.
- Maintain a healthy weight. This will help you control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes - and lower your chance of heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to lose weight safely, slowly, and permanently. You can also check out our LiVe Well Center to learn more about what a healthy weight is and how you can reach it.
- Exercise. Physical activity protects your heart, brain, and bones. Exercising makes you stronger, gives you more energy, and helps you cope with daily stress. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.