The encouraging reality is that many strokes are linked to risk factors that can be identified and managed earlier through proactive, preventive care2. However, stroke continues to be among the most serious outcomes of cardiovascular disease3. Accordingly, awareness – and timely action – are essential.
Preventing serious outcomes like stroke before they occur is a critical part of protecting both heart and brain health. Understanding your personal stroke risk, and addressing it early, can make a meaningful difference4.
Below are some key facts to learn during Stroke Awareness Month.
1. Stroke is a medical emergency and time matters.
A stroke happens when blood can’t reach part of the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Without oxygen, brain cells can be damaged very quickly. That’s why a stroke is a medical emergency and why acting fast is so important4,5.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can help people act quickly – and that quick action can save a life. Here are some signs of stroke in both men and women5:
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
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you believe someone is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a stroke, remember this acronym: FAST5.
F – FACE. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – ARMS. Have the person raise both arms. Does one side come down?
S – SPEECH. Ask the person to say something simple. Is the speech slurred or not their normal speech?
T – TIME. Stroke treatments that work best are available if taken within 3 hours of the first symptoms. If you see any signs or symptoms, call 911 right away.
2. Stroke is more common than people realize and some people are at higher risk.
Stroke is more common than many people realize. In the US, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies from a stroke1.
Anyone can have a stroke, but some people are at higher risk. Common risk factors include atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity, and excess weight6.
Some risks run in families, too. For example, higher levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), can increase the chance of heart attack and stroke6,7.
Read: High Lp (a) Explained: What You Need to Know about This Hidden, Indicator for Heart Disease
3. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) significantly increases stroke risk.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder that is anticipated to affect an estimated 12.1 million people in the US in the future. It causes the heart to beat irregularly, which allows blood to pool and form clots8.
If a clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. People with AFib are 5 times more likely to experience a stroke. Those that do often have a more severe stroke than someone with other risk factors8.
Many people with AFib don’t know they have it and do not experience symptoms. That’s why routine checkups and awareness are so important2,8.
4. Learning your stroke risk includes knowing your numbers.
When it comes to stroke prevention, awareness is powerful. Understanding your personal risk factors—and acting early—can make a meaningful difference over a lifetime.
— Younos Abdulsattar, PharmD, Medical Team Leader for Cardiovascular and Metabolism, Novartis US
The best place to start is a conversation with your health care provider. Together, you can review your blood pressure, your cholesterol levels, any possible heart rhythm issues, and talk through your family history and other factors that could influence your risk of stroke2.
Knowing your numbers can empower you and help you make informed choices about your health and take meaningful steps toward prevention2.
5. There are steps you can take today to lower your stroke risk over time.
It is important to remember that prevention doesn’t require perfection – small steps add up. To help reduce your risk of stroke, you can take preventative steps by staying active, eating heart-healthy foods, not smoking, learning to manage stress, moderating alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight2.
For some people, medication or additional treatment may also play a role. A health care professional can help tailor an approach that is right for you2.
Preventing stroke isn’t something anyone should navigate alone. At Novartis, we’re focused on going further – advancing science, embracing innovation, and working with patients, health care professionals, and communities to make preventive cardiovascular care the norm. Learn more about our mission to ensure no heart is lost too soon.
Because protecting health isn’t just about living longer – it’s about living better.
