
On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 4 minutes someone dies from one, according to the National Institutes of Health. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and causes more long-term disabilities than any other disease. The older you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke, as the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after age 55.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. It's important to recognize the warning signs of stroke because prompt treatment is crucial to minimize brain damage and potential complications. To recognize the signs of stroke, remember the acronym FAST: face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, and time to call 911.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. On this Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Robert D. Brown Jr., a Mayo Clinic neurologist and stroke expert, discusses stroke and stroke prevention. Also on the program, Dr. Paul McKie, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains when and why you might need a cardiac stress test. And Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a psychologist and co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health, will has tips for being a good mental health consumer.
Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.
Thomas Bennett had tried to quit chewing tobacco 75 to 100 times before he came to Mayo Clinic. Even a precancerous lesion in his mouth ...
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the American Red Cross. Becoming a donor is easy and can make a significant ...
Mayo Clinic hospitals in Arizona, Florida and Rochester, Minnesota, have again received five-star ratings and most qualifying Mayo Clinic Health System hospitals have received at ...