Stroke Education Resources

St. Mary’s is committed to educating the community about stroke prevention and stroke warning signs through patient education, health fairs and speaking engagements in cooperation with the Macon County Health Department. Our goal is to decrease the incidence of stroke and disability suffered by stroke survivors.

One program St. Mary’s offers in partnership with the Macon County Health Department is the Freedom From Smoking course.
Learn more about St. Mary’s Freedom From Smoking course.

What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood clots form and block an artery or blood vessel, cutting off blood and oxygen to the brain.

What are some stroke warning signs?

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Difficulty swallowing

What should I do if I experience stroke warning signs or see someone experience them?
Call 911 and head to the nearest hospital immediately.

What are some stroke prevention guidelines?

• Maintain a healthy blood pressure and blood cholesterol level
• Do not smoke cigarettes
• Treat and control diabetes
• Eat a healthy diet, avoiding excessive saturated fats, trans fats, salt and calories
• Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days

Additional Resources
American Stroke Association
National Stroke Association
Stroke Smart Magazine
National Stroke Association Monthly Online Articles
Acute Stroke Resource Center