The month of May is Stroke awareness month and Henry Mayo’s Melody Halio, Nurse navigator of the Stroke and Diabetes program wants you and your loved ones to get screened for high blood pressure and cholesterol so you can prevent a future stroke.

What are the telltale signs of someone having a stroke?

One way to think about it is using the acronym FAST.

FAST looks for signs of the face (side of face drooping), arms (having 1 arm droop when you extend both arms in front of you), slurred speech (or unable to find words), and time.

Time is of the essence and in just 2 minutes, 2 million neurons are lost so it is crucial to contact 911 immediately and save valuable time.

Strokes are about 80% preventable, and by going to Henry Mayo, you and your family can get screened for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes and treat them effectively if you have any of these conditions.

Related Article: Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Appoints New Chair, Board Member

Some of the best ways to help prevent strokes is to be as active as possible, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes a day or a few times a week.

Avoiding smoking is another great way to help prevent strokes. If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke or a TIA (a smaller version of a stroke that self resolves in 24 hours) it is strongly suggested that you and your family take action today and schedule a screening at Henry Mayo.

May is Stroke awareness month, so contact Henry Mayo at (661) 200-2000 to schedule your appointment today.

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