Pay attention to signs that you may be having a stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. More than 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States.

According to Strokecenter.org, each year approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report three types of strokes: ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic and transient ischemic attack which is a warning of a mini stroke.

Eighty-five percent of stroke cases are ischemic strokes, and strokes can occur at any age.

Stroke survivor Julie Guttormson was just 31 when she suffered a stroke in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Her only symptom was a persistent severe headache, located right where the clots were located.

“I did an MRI and they found three blood clots, which were in three major veins. I was lucky mine didn’t burst and I caught it in time. I went to Salt Lake City for further care,” Guttormson said.

Four years after having her stroke, Guttormson opened up Revolution Indoor Cycling, she said this experience gave her a wake up call.

“I take life by the horns and just accomplish things that I had only dreamed of,” Guttormson said.

Guttormson considers herself lucky. However, doctors never determined an exact cause for her stroke.

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Centers manager of stroke and cardiovascular programs Jami Thomas said the older you get the higher the risk is for having a stroke.

“I think that sometimes younger populations don’t realize that they are at risk,”

Thomas said one of the main issues with strokes is that warning signs can be very subtle.

“We don’t see the patients coming in right away, generally they think I’m just feeling sick it will get better. I’m not feeling well today,” Thomas said.

But at times there are symptoms. The acronym FAST can help identify them.

The ‘F’ stands for facial weakness, so when smiling one side of the face may droop. Another sign is ‘A’ for arm weakness.

The ‘S” stands for slurred speech and ‘T’ stands for time.

Thomas also said, “It’s the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and in the state of Idaho. And it’s the number of cause of disability.”

Thomas also said a stroke is occurring to contact emergency services, do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.

Guttormson hopes to continue to spread her message. She’s teamed up with St. John’s Hospital Foundation in Jackson to host a fundraiser ‘Rock the Ride’, which benefits stroke and cardiac patients. The event will held on Mar. 13.

To learn more about the event visit eventbrite.com