About 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year, but, in the moment, many people don’t realize they are having one. Instead, they misinterpret their symptoms as the result of old age or another health problem. When a stroke happens, it means a blood vessel to the brain is blocked or has burst. The result is that the brain does not get enough oxygen and part of it starts to die. From there, the part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't function properly.

Symptoms happen quickly, so it’s important to know how to identify them. An easy way to remember the main symptoms of stroke and know when to call for medical help is to memorize the acronym “FAST.”

Follow these FAST steps from the American Stroke Association to identify a possible stroke:

FACE drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

ARM weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH difficulty - Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

TIME to call 911 - If the person shows any of the above symptoms – even if the symptoms go away – call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

FAST helps you understand the basic symptoms. Other symptoms can include numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in the legs, especially on only one side; a sudden change in vision; sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements; a sudden and severe headache; or sudden problems with walking or balance.

It’s also important to know that strokes are the third leading cause of death for American women, and women are more likely than men to die from a stroke. Women may report symptoms not often associated with strokes in men, such as nausea or vomiting, seizures, hiccups, trouble breathing, pain, fainting or loss of consciousness, and general weakness. Because these symptoms are unique to women, it may be difficult to immediately connect them to a stroke.

The better you are at identifying symptoms, the faster you’ll be able to call for help. A faster response limits damage to the brain, and quick treatment can mean the difference between a future disability and a full recovery.

Tips for Preventing a Stroke

The good news is that there are many positive steps that you can take right now to reduce your own risk of stroke, including the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight by improving your diet and exercise habits. Cut out foods high in fat, cholesterol, and salt, add fresh foods whenever possible, and limit your alcohol intake. In addition, consult your physician before starting an exercise program that consists of at least of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.
• Quit smoking. Just a few smoke-free years can dramatically decreases the risk of stroke.
• Reduce stress, which is one cause of high blood pressure, by incorporating meditation, relaxation, biofeedback, exercise, or counseling into your routine.
• For women, eliminate oral contraceptives, especially those with high estrogen content, which appear to increase the risk of blood clots that can cause stroke, especially over age 30. Also reconsider the use of post-menopausal estrogen, which is associated with a small increase in the risk of stroke.
• Get regular medical check-ups and work closely with your doctor to treat diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, which are all associated with strokes. A combination of lifestyle changes and medication may be prescribed to lessen or reverse these health issues.

If you are concerned about your risk of having a stroke, please take the American Stoke Association’s Stroke Risk Quiz. If you score high or you’re unsure if you’re at risk, talk with a doctor to develop a prevention plan. Your health insurance provider can connect you with a local doctor who can provide regular check-ups and stroke-prevention care. If you do not yet have health insurance, explore plans that fit your budget and your family’s needs, by visiting KeenanDirect.com or calling KeenanDirect at 1-855-653-3626. One of our licensed agents would be happy to help you.

Knowing the signs of a stroke, as well as the lifestyle changes to prevent one, can help put you and your family on the path to a long, healthy life. We’re happy to offer these tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.