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Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol – these are major causes of stroke
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Exercise regularly i.e. 2-3 times per week
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Maintain a healthy diet which is high in a variety of fruit and vegetables, but low in animal fats and salt
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Limit alcohol consumption.
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If you smoke, try to stop as soon as possible.
Learn the warning signs of stroke
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Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
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Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
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Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
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Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
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Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The FAST test involves asking three simple questions:
Face – Can the person smile, has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can the person raise both arms?
Speech – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time – Act FAST!
If you answer yes to any of these questions, act FAST and call for medical emergency help immediately.
source: www.worldstrokecampaign.org/2012