BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Stroke specialists are giving insight into the risks of this sometimes fatal and life-changing medical emergency.
Alabama is located in the “Stroke Belt.” It’s the southeastern region of the U.S. where stroke rates are high compared to the nation as a whole.
“Alabama has among the highest rate of stroke in the country, and among the highest mortality,” said Dr. Toby Gropen, director of the UAB Comprehensive Neurovascular and Stroke Center.
There are several factors that contribute to strokes, Gropen and Bibb County Medical Center’s Stroke Coordinator Lynnette Kornegay said.
“Family history, weight, the activity level of our state — we’re not known to be the most active state,” said Lynnette Kornegay, Bibb County Medical Center’s stroke coordinator.
There are other underlying health conditions that put someone at higher risk for stroke.
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
“Those things are modifiable and treating them lowers your risk,” Gropen said.
A 2024 America’s Health Rating report complied data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows how all states rank in terms of health, healthcare accessibility and other environmental factors.
The report found that the same health issues Gropen said create higher risk for stroke are the same health issues seen in Alabama at higher rates.
“You can treat high blood pressure, treat diabetes, high cholesterol, stop smoking,” Gropen said. “Those things are modifiable and treating them lowers your risk.”
But a stroke is not always preventable. The BE FAST method can help learn the signs:
Balance – Loss of balance, coordination or dizzianess
Eyes – Blurred or double vision, loss of bission in one eye or both eyes
Face – Numbness, tingling sensation, dropping on one side of the face
Arm – numbness tingling sensation, weakness on one side of the body
Speech – Difficulty speaking, slurred speech
Time – Call 911 immediately if you see any of these signs
However, a stroke does not always present all of those signs- sometimes other signs can be present. such as a headache.
“With a stroke the symptoms don’t normally improve without some sort of medical intervention,” Kornegay said.
Strokes can be fatal. They also account for a majority of disability in the U.S. according to Gropen.
“80% of strokes are caused by blockage, 20% are caused by brain bleeds,” Gropen said.
That’s also why it’s important to call 9-1-1, that way an MRI can be taken to see what’s happening and where it’s happening inside that the brain. That’s also why Gropen recommends against taking medication like aspirin when experiencing stroke symptoms.
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