May is National Stroke Awareness Month: CDC Has Everything You Need to Know

As Memorial Day weekend approaches and we begin heading to the beach, it's important to remember that May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Each year nearly 800,000 people suffer from a stroke, often times resulting in death or paralysis.

There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when the artery carrying oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures. Both of these strokes contribute to about 130,000 deaths per year in the United States, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

Recognizing signs leading up to a stroke can either catch help it in the early stages or prevent it from resulting in serious health complications. Key signs include: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination; and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some medical conditions put others at a higher risk of stroke. High blood pressure is a major risk factor, with nearly 8 of every 10 first-time stroke victims having high blood pressure. Others include high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and smoking. Heart disease contributes to 20% of strokes, diabetes increases one's risk of ischemic stroke at all ages, and smoking increases one's risk by 2 to 4 times compared to nonsmokers.

It's important to acknowledge your risk of stroke at all ages, which is why medical experts highly suggests eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking, and limiting alcohol use. Your actions and habits throughout your life can shape your future for certain medical conditions, with stroke being one of them.

The federal government and private organizations have established Million Hearts in 2011, which aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 through raising awareness and improving medical standards.

You can read more about National Stroke Awareness Month on the CDC website.