May Is National Stroke Awareness Month: Local Doctors Reveal Key Facts You Need to Know
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)—According to data supplied by them, over 795,000 people in America experience a stroke annually. CDC .
This indicates that approximately every 40 seconds, an individual experiences a stroke.
Even though the likelihood of experiencing a stroke rises with age, it is possible for someone to have a stroke at any stage of their life.
Harley Manuel, Stroke and Sepsis Coordinator at Raleigh General Hospital, remembers one situation that was particularly shocking.
I personally know an individual who experienced a stroke before birth, meaning the baby had a stroke while still inside the mother's womb. This condition can occur at such an early stage, or it might happen regardless of your age.
Harley Manuel, who works as the Stroke & Sepsis Coordinator at Raleigh General Hospital,
Manuel characterizes a stroke as a disruption in blood supply to the brain, which may result in what is known as "BE FAST."
"BE FAST" serves as an abbreviation for identifying signs of a stroke.
It stands for: Balance difficulties, Eyesight changes, Face and Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to call 9-1-1.
These signs are something speech pathologist Cami Morris knows about all too well.
Not only does she work with stroke victims, but her own husband almost died of a stroke when he was twenty six.
It was an encounter that would change how she approached her career.
I understand the feeling of isolation experienced by stroke survivors and how much they rely on supportive communities. This experience has altered my viewpoint, making me more empathetic to their circumstances and encouraging me to be an advocate for individuals within our community.
Cami Morris, aSpeech-Language Pathologist at Raleigh General Hospital
What steps can one take to prevent a stroke? It is advised to monitor your dietary habits and overall health.
Research by the CDC links high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity to an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke.
“Strokes are so unpredictable. Anyone can have one, anyone can see someone having one. Getting the knowledge out there of what the risk factors are, what the symptoms are, what needs to happen is just incredibly important.”
Harley Manuel, Stroke & Sepsis Coordinator with Raleigh General Hospital
If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
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