Each year, 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke. Today marks the American Heart Association’s 13th Annual National Wear Red Day, and Tria Health is joining the conversation because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.
Prevention is the key:
There are a number of things that individuals can do to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.
Know your blood pressure and seek treatment if it is elevated (greater than 140 over 90)
Stop smoking – smoking doubles your risk of stroke
Know your cholesterol levels and talk to your doctor if your total cholesterol is over 200
Manage exercise/diet – exercising five times per week and maintain a diet low in salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol
Control alcohol use – excessive consumption of more than 2 drinks per day increases stroke risk
Control diabetes – achieve blood sugar and HgA1C goals
Identify and treat atrial fibrillation
Recognize:
If a stroke does occur, the most effective treatments must be initiated as soon as possible. Understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke allow you to seek medical attention immediately. The American Stroke Association has developed the following acronym to help patients recognize symptoms:
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T- Time: If you observe any of the signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Note the time when the symptoms first appear. There are FDA-approved medications that can be given within 3 hours of stroke onset that may reduce long-term disabilities associated with a stroke.
Talk to your Tria Pharmacist or other health care provider regarding what you can do to prevent and recognize. For information about Tria Health, visit www.triahealth.com.
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