Advice for men to avoid the top five killers
4. Stroke (62,622)
Don’t leave it up to a stroke of luck
Good cardiac care, which includes taking any prescribed medication, not smoking, exercising and eating healthy, can help prevent strokes, which kill more than 62,000 men annually.
Anthony Alessi, MD, a neurologist on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff, says taking these steps can reduce your risk, but a quick diagnosis is important once a stroke strikes.
“Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians learn more about stroke and treating it in the field, which can prevent permanent damage. The patient needs to know what is going on too,” he says. Signs are difficulty with speech, facial weakness on one side and numbness.
Often patients will have a “mini” stroke — in medical terms, a transient ischemic attack. About 1 in 10 people who have these attacks have a major stroke within three months. The symptoms are the same, but they go away after a few minutes, so many people dismiss them. Pay attention and see a doctor if you experience any signs.