May is National Stroke Awareness Month – Know the Warning Signs

Did you know that stroke kills almost 130,000 of the 800,000 Americans who die of cardiovascular disease each year. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in 2018, stroke was the third leading cause of death in the City of St. Louis. Unbelievable statistics considering, reports by the American Stroke Association that stoke is
preventable, treatable, and beatable.

“If someone is having a stroke, every second counts says, Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of health for the City of St. Louis. “Knowing the signs of stoke and acting quickly can make the difference between full recovery, recovery with a lifelong disability, and death.”

During the month of May the City of St Louis Department of Health will join the American
Health Association in bringing additional awareness to the warning signs of stoke by reminding everyone to think F.A.S.T. [F (Face Dropping). A (Arm Weakness). S (Speech Difficulty). T (Time to Call 9.1.1.)].\

The City of St. Louis Department of Health will also be using National Stroke Awareness Month to highlight stoke prevention. Approximately 80% of stokes each year could be prevented if individuals make healthy food choices, get enough physical activity, don’t smoke, maintain a healthy weight and treat conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.