Citrus Memorial Health System has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. This distinction is awarded only to those programs that comply with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in providing primary stroke center services.

We’re committed to educating the community on how to recognize the signs of stroke and to reduce risk factors for stroke.

Stroke Symptoms

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Abrupt onset of confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden double vision or trouble with vision

• Abrupt onset of dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden, severe headache

Use the F.A.S.T. method for recognizing symptoms in others:

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. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

T = TIME If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Risk Factors for Stroke

There are two types of risk factors for stroke; those you can’t change and those you can change or modify.

The risk factors for stroke that you can’t change are

Age

Race

Heredity

Prior Stroke

The risk factors that can be changed or modified are

High blood pressure

Smoking

Diabetes

Blockage in the carotid artery

Heavy alcohol use

Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

How can I reduce my risk factors of stroke?

One of the main ways to reduce your risk of stroke is to work closely with your healthcare provider. Certain treatments and medications may be useful for patients who have already had a stroke.

You’ll also need to make changes in your daily life. If you smoke, stop. Increase physical activity and limit alcohol.

Available Treatment

Anti-Platelet Agents

Anti-platelet agents are drugs that play a role in keeping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots, which helps reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Anti-Coagulants

Anti-coagulants reduce the ability of blood to clot. Doctors often prescribe these drugs for their patients with atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis.

ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensis II Receptor Blockers

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are drugs that lower high blood pressure.

Statins

Statins lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

Exercise

Exercise helps raise good cholesterol. It also dilates your arteries, which in turn helps lower your blood pressure. Once your doctor says you can exercise, try to do so for at least 30 minutes three to four times per week.

Diuretics

Diuretics, or water pills, reduce the volume of blood in the body and thereby lower high blood pressure.

Diet

If you diet and take medication, you may keep further buildup of plaque from forming in your arteries. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet can help you reach and stay at your ideal weight.

The American Heart Association recommends that you get less than 30% of your daily calories from fat, and less than 7% from saturated fat. Try to eat less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day and eat high fiber foods such as oatmeal, dried beans and fruits to help lower cholesterol.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking causes arteries to narrow, makes blood more likely to clot, and increases blood pressure. These are all risk factors for stroke.

If you smoke now and don’t stop you are five times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, so talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy. When you quit, your risk can go down within a year.