BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
What they’re saying
Signs of stroke
What you need to know
BEFAST is the acronym medical professionals recommend to identify stroke signs and symptoms.
“Although stroke is much more common in adults over the age of 65, ... the greatest rise in stroke incidence is actually being seen in individuals under the age of 50.” DR. PAM ZELNICK, VASCULAR NEUROLOGIST, HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK
El Jamal said about 80% of stroke risk factors are preventable, including poor eating habits, obesity, smoking and drug abuse, which can lead to hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, significantly increasing the risk of stroke. Brown said these chronic conditions often occur together, compounding the risk of severe health outcomes. El Jamal said a patient should be at the hospital within four hours of suffering a stroke to be eligible for blood thinner medications. Zelnick said only one-third of patients arrive soon enough. “If you have any symptoms, even if you’re not sure, call 911. Don’t even try to figure it out. Don’t wait it out, because every minute you lose, you’re really losing over a million neurons in your brain,” El Jamal said.
B alance
Difficulty walking
E yes
Loss of vision
F acial drooping
One-sided facial drooping
A rms
Arm or leg weakness
“When you think about the list of risk factors, … it really does reinforce how important it is to do appropriate
Slurring S peech Call 911 immediately T ime
screening ... to prevent heart attack and stroke.” DR. PAULRAJ SAMUEL, OWNER, SAMUEL FAMILY CARDIOLOGY
SOURCE: ST. LUKE’S HEALTH-THE VINTAGE HOSPITAL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
17
SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook