STROKE LESSONS HOSPITAL AIMS TO PREVENT STROKES.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - In observance of American Stroke Awareness Month, personnel at Antelope Valley Hospital are encouraging local residents to become more aware of the risks and of ways to prevent stroke.

According to the American Stroke Association, about 700,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, there is a stroke in America every 45 seconds.

Strokes are the No. 3 cause of death, behind diseases of the heart and cancer. ``At Antelope Valley Hospital, we see about 600 to 700 new strokes each year,'' said Dr. Vijay Shanmugam, a neurologist.

The most important prevention action is to quit smoking, hospital health workers say.

While family history, age and gender are uncontrollable, risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure and high cholesterol can be managed, hospital workers say.

People can reduce their stroke risk not only by quitting smoking, but also by improving their eating and exercise habits, and they can work with a doctor to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

The warning signs of a stroke are:

--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.

If symptoms occur, call 911 immediately. For additional stroke resources, visit www.StrokeAssociation.org or call (888) 4-STROKE.