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Know the signs: May is Stroke Awareness Month

Posted at 3:11 PM, May 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-11 17:11:09-04

May is Stroke Awareness Month, making it a good time to review the signs of a stroke.

Stroke symptoms can be relatively painless. If you randomly experience loss of balance, trouble with vision, facial droop, losing feeling in one arm or one side of your body, you need to see a doctor right away.

While stroke is now the number five cause of death in the U.S., it’s still the number one cause of disability, which is why getting to the emergency room as quickly as possible can save much more than just your life.

“If you have these kind of symptoms, get in as quickly as you can. We’ll sort out what the process is, however your symptoms transpire after the start. Getting here in time, being with us as we figure out what’s going on is your best chance to have a good outcome if it does turn out to be a stroke.” Bozeman Health Neurologist Josh Knappenberger said.

Maintaining low blood pressure, a good body weight, along with a healthy diet and exercise can help significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke.