Euclid Mayor Recognized May as Stroke Awareness Month with Proclamation

Every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke. Stroke is the number one cause of serious, long-term disability, and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. 

To help raise awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with a stroke, the Mayor of the City of Euclid recognized May as Stroke Awareness Month. 

Cleveland Clinic Euclid Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center that has protocols in place and is equipped to deliver acute stroke care. It is vital to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms that suggest serious medical emergencies, such as stroke. Delays in receiving life-saving care when one experiences stroke symptoms can lead to permanent disability or even death.

Know your risk factors

Stroke risk increases with age, but a stroke can happen at any age.

Conditions that are leading causes of stroke include: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, smoking, substance abuse, obesity, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes. 

Know the signs and symptoms of a stroke 

A stroke, which is sometimes called a "brain attack," is an injury to the brain related to problems with blood flow.  Depending on the function of the part of the brain that is under attack, the person suffering the stroke suddenly may become paralyzed, blind, or unable to speak. 

Remember B.E.F.A.S.T to help identify signs of a stroke: 

• Balance: Loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, including blurred vision and/or loss of vision, 
• Face: Sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness of the face
• Arms: Sudden numbness or weakness of the arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Speech: Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Time: If you experience any of those major stroke warning signs, call 911. It is important to get to a hospital immediately.

Every second counts

The longer that brain cells go without fresh blood and oxygen makes the damage more likely to be permanent. The chances for survival and recovery improve when treatment begins within the first hours after a stroke has occurred.

If a stroke is suspected, it is a medical emergency. Immediately dial 911.

Cleveland Clinic has one of the first Mobile Stroke Treatment Units (MSTU) in the country. By calling 9-1-1 for stroke signs and symptoms, Mobile Stroke Treatment Units are activated with Emergency Medical Services in order to bring advanced stroke care directly to the person suffering from a stroke.  

As we continue to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Cleveland Clinic’s emergency departments remain open for care and we encourage the public to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms that suggest serious medical emergencies, such as stroke or heart attack. All patients coming to our emergency departments are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and are provided with a mask to help maintain the health and safety of our patients and caregivers and to prevent the spread of the virus.

We are also working closely with our local first responders to take the appropriate precautions needed to protect them and the patients they transport. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or other heart attack and stroke symptoms, call 911 right away.

To learn more about stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors, visit clevelandclinic.org/stroke