Each year, October 29 is known as World Stroke Day. McLeod Health strives to help raise awareness of stroke knowledge and stroke prevention.

This year 14.5 million people will have a stroke, according to the World Stroke Organization. Here are steps you can take to help prevent a stroke:

• Control blood pressure & cholesterol
• Keep blood sugar down
• Get active
• Eat healthy
• Lose weight if needed
• Don’t smoke

All McLeod Health hospitals are stroke certified affirming they are equipped to provide care to patients with acute stroke symptoms who seek life-saving treatment from the emergency department. It is essential to help prevent a stroke from occurring by seeking medical treatment quickly at the first onset of symptoms. If you think someone may be having a stroke call 911 right away.

Click the below video for more information.