Karren Wilson was 47 years old when she had her stroke. She went from taking care of her two children and husband to having to depend on others.
Her inspirational story is one of perseverance and staying positive to overcome all of life's challenges.
What is a stroke?
In the U.S., someone will have a stroke every 40 seconds, which is approximately 800,000 people. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death. A stroke (also known as a cerebral vascular accident) is when the blood supply to the brain is stopped, causing a lack of oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain, which leads to the death of brain cells.
There are two main types of strokes: ischemic versus hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is when a blood clot travels to the vessels of the brain and the blood supply is cut off.
About 87% of all strokes are ischemic. The other 13% of strokes are hemorrhagic, which is caused by a weakened blood vessel that bursts. Most often, the rupture of the blood vessel is caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.
What are the signs of a stroke?
Remember to act F.A.S.T. if you have the following:
Face drooping
Arm (or leg) weakness
Speech difficulty
Time to call 9-1-1
Remember, time is brain. Call 911 immediately if you have any of these signs!
- What can I do to prevent a stroke?
- Manage your risk factors like:
- High blood pressure
- Quit smoking
- Lose weight
- Exercise at least 30 minutes per day for 5 days per week
- Drink in moderation (less than 1 drink per day for women, and less than 2 drinks per day for men)
- Control and treat your diabetes and high cholesterol
- Know your family history
