Strokes Expected to Increase Among FL Baby Boomers
Posted May 16, 2012 04:05 pm
By
Stephanie Carroll Carson
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Florida, according to the American Heart Association. May is Stroke Awareness Month, and health advocates are reminding Floridians about the risks and warning signs of the potentially deadly condition.
Links of interest:
•
Florida Charts
•
Stroke awareness
•
Nat. Stroke Association
In Florida, the number of stroke-related deaths is on
the decrease, standing at 28 percent of stroke victims.
Ten years ago, that number was 47 percent, according to
the CDC. But vigilance is still important, says Lesia
Mooney, the stroke coordinator at the Mayo Clinic in
Jacksonville. She expects the number of strokes to
increase because of the large number of aging baby
boomers.
"The mindset wasn't necessarily always on preventative
care. As the baby boomers age, there's a greater
potential for stroke there."
Strokes happen to people at all levels of health and
ages. Kyle Sheeler was a healthy and athletic
18-year-old when he suffered a stroke. The time factor
is key, says Sheeler, because if you get clot-busting
medication soon enough, the debilitating side effects of
stroke can be significantly reduced.
"The longer you wait, the more brain that's damaged. And
don't hesitate to call 911, because with the more time
that passes, you could have more cognitive difficulties,
you could have more physical difficulties."
Sheeler says there are many ways to reduce your risk of
stroke, from quitting smoking, to losing weight to being
physically active.
"You don't have to go crazy exercising or anything like
that, but just find something that you like to do that's
active, and that can really prevent it. Just live a
healthy lifestyle."
Nationwide, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds.
Warning signs for a stroke include a drooping face, numb
arm and impaired speech.