Test Your Stroke Knowledge

How well do you know the signs and symptoms of a stroke? How about the risk factors of stroke? Test your knowledge and discover ways to prevent a stroke as well as risk factors to look for.

1. Which of the following are signs of stroke?
   1. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
   2. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
   3. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
   4. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
   5. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
   6. All of the above
   Answer
   f. All of the above.
   If you see or experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.
2. Stroke symptoms that last only a short time and then disappear are:
   1. Nothing to worry about unless they reoccur.
   2. An indication that you could have a major stroke. You should be medically evaluated immediately.
   Answer
   b. An indication that you could have a major stroke.
   If you have any signs of a stroke, even if they last only a short time, seek medical attention.
3. If you or someone else experience ANY stroke symptoms, you should first...
   1. Call 9-1-1
   2. Call your family doctor
   3. Take an aspirin and lie down
   4. Call a family member or someone else who can help
   5. Drive them to the ED
   Answer
   a. Call 9-1-1.
   Strokes are medical emergencies. In critical situations, timing is important; every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. Seek medical assistance immediately, even if the symptoms seem small or short-lived. Immediate treatment can save lives and improve recovery chances.
4. Which of the following are risk factors for stroke?
   1. High blood pressure
   2. Heart disease
   3. Smoking
   4. High cholesterol
   5. Diabetes
   6. All of the above
   Answer
   f. All of the above.
   If you smoke - quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control - and keeping them under control - will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.
5. What is a risk factor of stroke that you CANNOT change? *
   1. Weight
   2. High blood pressure
   3. Age
   4. Tobacco use
   Answer
   c. Age.
6. What is a risk factor of stroke that you CAN change? *
   1. Race
   2. Age
   3. Family history
   4. High cholesterol
   Answer
   d. High cholesterol.
   Talk to your primary care provider about steps you can take to lower your cholesterol.
7. Strokes are painful.
   1. Never
   2. Always
   3. Most are
   4. Most are not
   Answer
   d. Most are not.
   Strokes are typically not painful. There may be headache or neck pain, which indicate a bleeding type of stroke. More commonly, symptoms of a stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, or having difficulty coming up with words.
8. To prevent a stroke:
   1. Take your blood pressure medicine
   2. Stop smoking
   3. Eat foods low in fat and salt
   4. Limit your alcohol consumption
   5. Participate in moderate exercise
   6. Get screened for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol
   7. Get regular checkups and talk to your doctor about reducing risk factors
   8. All of the above
   Answer
   h. All of the above.