Stroke awareness: BE FAST

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According to the CDC, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and every 3.5 minutes someone dies of stroke. During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is restricted and the brain loses oxygen. When this happens, brain cells are dying and getting care within the first few hours can mean the difference between full recovery and a life with significant disabilities.

Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke early so you can BE FAST.

If you notice these symptoms, BE FAST:

Reduce your risk of stroke

Exercise

Staying physically active helps to keep you at a healthy weight, lower your cholesterol, and lower your blood pressure. Adults should get 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Montage Wellness Center in Marina and Salinas offer group exercise classes, strength and cardio equipment, lap pools, and many other amenities to help you become the healthiest version of yourself.

Practice healthy nutrition

Nutrition is key to keeping healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Unhealthy nutrition raises your risk for diabetes, which increases your stroke risk by three times. Montage Health’s Nutrition Services offer resources including classes and one-on-one counseling from expert dietitians.

Reduce alcohol intake and don’t smoke

Smoking and alcohol both raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. If you think you have alcohol dependency, look to Montage Health’s Recovery Center for high-quality addiction and dependency treatment and rehabilitation.

Establish a relationship with a primary care physician

If you don't already have a primary care doctor, you can see which providers are accepting new patients at Montage Medical Group. Once you establish this important relationship, make sure to schedule an Annual Wellness Visit to gauge your health. Your primary care doctor can learn your medical history and help you chart your medical future, working to keep small issues from growing into larger ones.

Know your risk factors

What can you change?

High blood pressure

This is considered the leading risk factor for stroke. Exercise, weight control, a healthy diet, and medication can help lower blood pressure.

Heart disease

This includes atrial fibrillation (AFib), carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and other heart diseases. Screening for and treating these diseases through regular checkups with your provider decreases your stroke risk.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes, your risk for stroke more than doubles because high glucose levels damage the body’s blood vessels. Diabetes can usually be managed with diet, exercise, and, if needed, medication.

High cholesterol

Elevated LDL cholesterol leads to plaque buildup which increases the risk of a blocked artery. Sufficient HDL levels aid in removing excess cholesterol, reducing stroke risk.

Smoking and vaping

These can cause damage to blood vessels, making your risk for stroke greater. Quitting smoking and vaping reduces your risk of stroke significantly. It is also important to avoid secondhand smoke.

Obesity

Aim for a healthy weight through regular physical activity and a balanced diet.

Physical inactivity

Stay active to improve overall health and reduce stroke risk.

Unhealthy Diet

Choose nutritious whole foods and limit salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

Other risks

Sleep apnea, certain blood disorders, excessive alcohol intake, and illicit or illegal drug use.

Other risk factors

Age

Strokes can affect all ages, but risk increases with age, especially after age 55.

Family history

Your stroke risk is greater if a parent or sibling has had a stroke.

Race

Risk of stroke varies among ethnic groups; African Americans are more likely to have a stroke than others.

Sex

Women have a greater risk of stroke.

Prior Stroke

And/or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).

Stroke care at Montage Health

Community Hospital acts swiftly to give you the right treatment at the right time. That’s why we’ve held Joint Commission certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center longer than any other facility in Monterey County.

If you arrive at the hospital by ambulance, the Emergency department stroke team will meet you right away. A doctor will do a quick medical exam within minutes of your arrival and the care team will perform a CT scan of your brain.

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