Stroke at Any Age
Stroke symptoms are always an emergency, even during COVID-19. McLaren implemented extreme safety precautions for COVID-19 that go beyond its already stringent standards. Those measures include separating patients with COVID-19 symptoms, screening everyone who enters its facilities for symptoms, and more frequently disinfecting high-touch areas.
Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and cause the highest number of long-term disabilities. Once a blood vessel bursts or is blocked and oxygen stops flowing to the brain, time is ticking for a person’s future.
Be Aware, BE FAST - Spot a Stroke
Balance – Watch for a sudden loss of balance.
Eyes – Is there a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes? Or double vision?
Face – Ask the person to smile and check to see if one side of the face droops.
Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward.
Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and check to see if words are slurred or the sentence is repeated incorrectly.
Time – If a person shows any of these symptoms, it is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, and immediately call 911.
McLaren Northern Michigan, a Primary Stroke Center, provides cutting-edge, compassionate care to stroke patients. McLaren Northern Michigan is also part of the McLaren Stroke Network, the only program in Michigan - and one of only a handful in the nation - where every stroke patient is seen by a stroke trained interventional neurologist in minutes, any time of the day or night.
Know Your Risks - Stroke at Any Age
Risk factors from American Stroke Association
High Blood Pressure - leading cause of stroke and most significant controllable risk factor.
Smoking - nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system and pave the way for stroke.
Diabetes - keep your blood sugar under control.
Diet - avoid diets high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Physical Inactivity - not being active can increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes; all Stroke risk factors.
There are additional risk factors for Stroke based on your lifestyle and family history. Schedule an appointment today with your doctor to discuss your risk for Stroke and prevention methods.
Don't have a family doctor? McLaren is accepting new patients at all clinics across Northern Michigan. Request An Appointment Today.