Orlando Regional Stroke Center at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
Strokes are preventable and treatable. Knowing the risk factors and changing your lifestyle can help you avoid having a stroke. Early treatment, particularly within 3 hours, can greatly improve your chances of recovery.
Stroke Risk Factors
The more risk factors you have, the higher your chances of having a stroke. The best way to prevent a stroke is to reduce your risk factors. Talk with your doctor to help change risk factors that may result from your lifestyle or environment.
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
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1. If you cannot call 9-1-1, have someone else drive you to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.
Risk factors that can be controlled or treated:
- High blood pressure
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes mellitus
- Carotid or other artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Heart disease
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIA)
- Certain blood disorders
- Sickle cell disease
- High blood cholesterol
- Physical inactivity and obesity
- Excessive alcohol
- Some illegal drugs
Risk factors you cannot control:
- Increasing age
- Sex (gender)
- Heredity (family history) and race
- Prior stroke or heart attack
Consult your physician if you have questions about stroke or stroke symptoms.
The Orlando Regional Stroke Center is located at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.