Stroke Awareness Saves Lives

You’re out to lunch with your dad when he suddenly sets down his fork and looks confused. One side of his face seems to droop a little, and when you ask if he’s okay, his words come out slurred. He tries to lift his right arm, but it won’t move the way he wants it to. You’re not sure what’s happening, but you know something’s not right. You call 911 immediately. 

This is what a stroke can look like—sudden, confusing, and frightening. But when you know the signs–and act fast–it can make all the difference in saving someone’s life. At Bluestem Health in Lincoln, Nebraska, we want to make sure everyone in our community is prepared with the knowledge to recognize a stroke and respond immediately.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke happens when the blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die quickly. That’s why a it is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention.

In some cases, a person may experience a “mini-stroke” where symptoms go away quickly. This should be seen as a red flag, as well as that a more serious stroke could happen in the near future.

Who is at Risk?

Stroke can affect anyone, but certain individuals are at a higher risk than others. Common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Family history 
• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
• Age – risk increases after age 55
• Race – Black and Hispanic individuals have a higher risk

The good news is that many of these risk factors can be managed with healthy lifestyle changes and regular checkups with your family doctor at Bluestem Health.

Know the Signs of Stroke

When it comes to a stroke, time is brain. The quicker a person receives medical care, the better their chances of recovery. The acronym BE FAST identifies what symptoms to notice:

• Balance – sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes – sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Face – one side of the face droops or feels numb
• Arms – weakness or numbness in the arm, especially on one side
• Speech – slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Time – time to call 911 immediately

If you notice any of these signs in someone, even if they go away, call 911 right away! Getting to the hospital fast can mean the difference between recovery and long-term disability, or even death.

What You Can Do

Understanding what a stroke is and what you can do are important. 

• Learn the signs and share them with your family.
• Schedule regular check-ups to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• Don’t ignore a mini-stroke–it’s a warning sign.
• If someone is having a stroke, call 911 so paramedics can begin life-saving care immediately.

Our providers can help you manage your health and lower your risk. To schedule a checkup with one of our providers, please call 402-476-1455. Let’s work together to keep you healthy and minimize your chances of having a stroke.