Stroke Awareness Foundation Blog

•  TIA’s are  transient episodes of a neurological dysfunction
• TIA’s are a high risk of early stroke
• There are approximately 780,000 strokes per year in the U.S. 10% – 30% of strokes are preceded by a TIA
• 50% of patients have a stroke within 48 hours of symptoms
• 10 – 15% of patients  have a stroke within three months.
• Rapid assessment and treatment initiation can reduce the risk of early recurrent stroke following a TIA by 80%

Projected costs to the United States of ischemic stroke and its aftermath add up to a staggering $2.2 trillion.   A new study suggests that U.S. Stroke costs are reaching $73 billion a year in direct and indirect costs.  Stroke in children costs are  at least $42 million annually.   You can help bring down the cost of stroke and prevent disability by knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke and the immediate actions that need to be taken in the event of Stroke.      Please learn the signs and symptoms and teach at least four of your friends or relatives. Stroke symptoms are the same for children as for adults.

 Symptoms of a Stroke:  

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Call 9-1-1  Don’t ”Shake it Off” “Wait and See” or “Just Rest for a While”