b'When a Stroke Strikes:Be Informed, Be ReadyDonna Lyburt, Clinical Program Manager, Emergency ServicesWe recently recognized Stroke Awarenessto spill into the tissue.An aneurysmBe a hero and learn the BEFAST acronym Month in May.Each year in the US, overis a little outpouching of the artery.Ifto show you care. Help with stroke care 800,000 people have a stroke. Stroke isthat aneurysm ruptures, that can leadand share!the 5th leading cause of death in Americato a hemorrhage. In this case, it is a and causes more serious long-termsubarachnoid hemorrhage, which bleedsBalance disability than any other disease. around the brains lining. sudden difficulty with balanceThe older you are, the more likely youLets not forget the stroke-like symptomsEyes are to have a stroke. The risk of havingof Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).sudden trouble seeing out one or both a stroke more than doubles eachTransient means it comes and goes,eyesdecade after age 55, but it is essentialischemic means a lack of blood flow, and to remember that strokes can occur atattack is a sudden onset. Remember, ifFace any age.Being aware of the signs anda person has stroke-like symptoms, and facial weakness or facial droopsymptoms of a stroke and receivingthe symptoms go away, it is a significant immediate medical care is crucial. warning sign. It raises alarms for theArm potential risk of a stroke in the days orarm weakness, inability to raise bothThere are two main types of strokes. Theweeks to follow. Do not ignore transientarms evenlymost common type is called a Cerebralsymptoms.Infarction and affects about 85% of strokeSpeechpatients. An artery suddenly becomesKey risk factors include high bloodcheck for impaired or slurred speechblocked, causing a lack of blood flow topressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes, the brain. The brain cells become starvedand elevated cholesterol. Others consistTime of oxygen. of lack of exercise, sleeping disordersseek emergency care immediatelyevery (apnea), heavy alcohol use, cardiacminute countsThe other primary stroke type is knownconditions (atrial fibrillation), and genetic as a Hemorrhagic Stroke. An aneurysm orconditions. artery ruptures, which leads the blood 4'