ROCKPORT and BELFAST — When it comes to strokes, every minute counts.

Patients who arrive at the hospital immediately after the first signs of a stroke have the best chance of recovering with little if any long-term loss of function. As minutes pass, the chance of permanent damage to brain cells increases, along with the likelihood of loss of function.

“That’s why it’s important to know the signs of stroke,” says Eileen Hawkins, RN, MSN, CNRN, SCRN coordinator of the stroke program at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, in a news release. “As soon as a symptom presents itself, act fast. Call 911. There are treatments for the most common type of stroke but it is very important that you seek treatment immediately.”

Hawkins’ message comes at the onset of Stroke Awareness Month, recognized nationally every May since 1989 when President George H.W. Bush established it by proclamation.

Know the Signs

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures.

Hawkins said the signs of stroke include:

 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

 Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

 Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes.

 Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.

 Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

“Don’t ignore these signs,” Hawkins says. “Sometimes people develop one or more of these symptoms and say, ‘Maybe I’ll feel better if I lay down for a while.’ Don’t! If one of these symptoms presents itself, call 911 immediately.”

Prevention works

The best course of action is to prevent a stroke from happening in the first place. The American Stroke Association (ASA) says that approximately 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

“We can indeed control and treat several leading risk factors for stroke,” said Hawkins. “Most people are aware of the fact that a “heart attack” is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is necessary. Furthermore, people have long been advised to take steps towards healthy lifestyle modifications to reduce their risk of developing heart disease and having a heart attack.

“We can think of stroke as a ‘brain attack.’ We should seek immediate treatment with any warning sign of stroke and be aware that these same healthy lifestyle modifications will reduce our risk of having a first-time stroke, or a recurrent stroke.”

Below are six educational tips for reducing stroke risk. Share this information from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association with your family and friends.

 High blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke. Managing your blood pressure plays a big role in lowering your stroke risk.

 Cholesterol or plaque build-up in the arteries can block normal blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. All adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years.

 Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of irregular or “racing” heartbeat that can cause blood to collect in the heart and potentially form a clot, which can travel to a person’s brain and cause a stroke. Unfortunately, many Americans who have AF don’t know it.

 Diabetes can double or quadruple your risk for stroke. Talk to your doctor and learn how to manage your diabetes and stroke risk.

 Tobacco use, smoking and alcohol use increase your risk for stroke. Consider quitting smoking or tobacco use and drinking alcohol in moderation.

 Physical inactivity, poor diet, and obesity can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Talk to your doctor to learn steps you can take to improve your diet and make your life more active.

For more information about stroke and stroke prevention, go to the website of the American Stroke Association at stroke.org.

Pen Bay Medical Center is a certified Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center. This certification of distinction is awarded to hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke. The Pen Bay Stroke Program is also the recipient of the American Heart & Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines® Gold Plus and Target Stroke Performance Achievement Awards.

About Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.