Learn the signs of a stroke this National Stroke Awareness Month

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB ) — May is stroke awareness month, and local doctors say it’s important to know the symptoms and act fast.

Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. Ascension Sacred Heart Bay doctors are trying to reduce those numbers by educating people on signs and symptoms.

“Their face can be droopy or get weak on one side. There are other symptoms like speech that can get affected. They may not be able to talk properly. Sometimes it’s just dizziness, lightheadedness,” Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Neurologist Dr. Muhammad Khan said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say more than 795,000 people a year suffer strokes here in the U.S. They’re commonly caused by a blood clot in the brain, blocking blood and oxygen flow. Dr. Khan said it’s crucial to act fast to prevent brain damage.

“We have come a long way in treating strokes, but we have to do it in a timely fashion. The earlier we treat it, the better it is. Within minutes is much better than treating it an hour later,” Dr. Khan said.

Some people are more prone to strokes than others.

“People who have long-standing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cigarette, smoking, all those things are big risk factors for stroke,” Dr. Khan said.

There are steps you can take to lower your risk of stroke.

“Keep your blood pressure under control. If you are diabetic, keep your sugars under control. If you have high cholesterol, take your cholesterol medication and get that under control. Stop smoking. Exercise is extremely important, weight loss, all those things will help,” Dr. Khan said.

Dr. Khan said if you or someone else is having a stroke, do not drive to the hospital. Call 911 so paramedics can begin treatment in the ambulance.

“Timing is everything. They can come back to the hospital very quickly by ambulance, and ambulances have already called the hospital so we can get our team ready for them,” Dr. Khan said.

For more information on stroke prevention and treatment, click here.

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