Stroke Care

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot or bleeding. This interruption causes brain cells to go without oxygen.

Unfortunately, a stroke can strike people of all ages. The good news is, stroke is preventable. Normal blood pressure and cholesterol as well as regular exercise can dramatically lessen your risk for stroke.

Stroke: Can it happen to me? - Billings Clinic Lunch & Learn

Dr. Mary Gaddy and Dr. Michael Willis

Stroke Risk Factors

• Carotid Artery Disease
• Family history of stroke
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Obesity
• Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Smoking

What can you do to prevent a stroke?

• Follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet (Healthy diet)
• Not smoking
• Regular exercise
• Routinely have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked
• Stress management

Signs & Symptoms of Stroke

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one eye or both
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination or trouble walking
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Act fast and call 9-1-1 if you experience these symptoms

Learn to prevent a stroke through lifestyle changes. Learn to recognize the signs of a stroke in progress by using the FAST test to 'act fast' and reduce the effects of stroke if it occurs.