When Signs Of Stroke Strike
This year about 800,000 Americans will experience the signs of stroke, and will suffer a stroke. One-third of the survivors will have another one within 5 years. Each year strokes claim about 160,000 lives in the United States. Of the 640,000 who survive, many will have long-term disabilities that will effect their quality of life, physical appearance, and their capacity to earn a living. The good new is that up to 80% of all strokes can be prevented just by increasing awareness of stroke risk factors and encouraging at-risk people to change their lifestyle or get some medical care. Top contributors to stroke are: *High blood pressure *High cholesterol *Obesity *Smoking *Alcohol use *Abnormal heart rhythm These risk factors are things that you can do something about, but there are other factors that we have no control over. Things like getting older, family history of stroke, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (also called TIA, or "mini-stroke") are warning signs. Also, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders are more likely have strokes than the rest of the population. Recognizing and managing the risk factors that are more likely to bring on the signs of stroke can greatly reduce the likelihood of having one. Early Detection Early detection of the signs of stroke and symptoms of stroke make it much more likely that you'll survive and have fewer lasting effects. The National Stroke Association uses an anagram to remind people to act "F.A.S.T." if you think someone may be having a stroke. Here are some easy tests you can use to tell: F - FACE Ask the person to smile. If one side of the face droops, this is one of the signs of stroke. A - ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S - SPEECH Say a simple sentence and ask the person to repeat it. Are the words slurred and incomprehensible? T - TIME If you can answer "yes", to any of the above questions, you need to call 911 immediately. Every second counts during a stroke. Recently there has been an email going around that is saying another one of the signs of stroke that you could look for in place of the "T" is to have the person stick out their TONGUE. If their tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, this is one of the signs of stroke. While this is also likely true, as a test it is far less valuable than the other three because there is room for interpretation of the results. How crooked is crooked, after all? How far to one side does it have to go before it's clear that it is one of the signs of stroke? The other three test mentioned above are better to use (smile, raise both arms, speak a simple sentence) and are very easy to interpret if there is a problem. When stroke strikes Even with prompt intervention, strokes can result in long-term disability. Depending on what people can afford, stroke patients may undergo rehab in a hospital or long-term care facility. Others get help on an outpatient basis or even in the comfort of their own homes. With the help from a therapist, patents can relearn and regain basic activities of daily living such as speaking, eating, getting dressed and walking. Costs of care As with all medical care, treatment of stroke patients can be very costly. The 2009 annual cost of stroke is expected to reach $68.9 billion according to the American Heart Association. Of this sum, about 64% is expected to go towards paying the actual healthcare expenses. The remaining 36% - about $24.8 billion - will go toward the indirect costs of stroke, including lost wages and related non-medical expenses. Not very many families today are ready to handle the high costs of health care. Especially in today's economy, it's very difficult to have extra expenses beyond your normal household budget. Not surprisingly, about half of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. are attributed in part to medical bills. Cost-saving solution Recognizing the signs of stroke and the costs of stroke are critical. But you really shouldn't stop there. Supplemental health insurance policies provide financial support when an individual is diagnosed with a stroke. These policies, also known as critical illness insurance, provide cash that can be used however needed, whether to cover medical bills for treatment, pay for living expenses, or cover the cost of assisted care. When the signs of stroke are caught early, the long-term effects can be alleviated. And when individuals prepare themselves with a critical illness plan, they gain the peace of mind that comes from securing their personal and financial future. Why not get some quotes now? By filling out the form below, our team can provide you with FREE, no-obligation quotes for critical illness insurance. One of our insurance professionals will contact you shortly and provide you with information specific to your state. Go From Signs of Stroke page back to Insurance page.
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