Did you know that every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies of stroke in this country. Stroke remains the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability in the world.
These are just some of the facts we learned at our Rotary meeting. Bob Stern, a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary club, has an impressive resume which includes healthcare technologies, most recently with Cardiac technology. He shared the amazing and innovative techniques that are being implemented to save lives and to treat different types of strokes, a medical event that most of us have experienced ourselves or with our loved ones.
The leading factors that lead to stroke are (in the order of risk): dietary risk factors, high BMI (body mass index), smoking, high fasting glucose, alcohol use, high LDL cholesterol, impaired kidney function and low physical activity. Stroke-related costs in the United States came to nearly $56.2 billion between 2019 and
- This number includes the cost of healthcare services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.
The signs and symptoms of a stroke in men can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking, difficulty walking and vision problems. Signs of a stroke in women can include the above signs and symptoms, as well as additional symptoms such as hiccups, nausea, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a racing heartbeat. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur, as timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Sanibel-Captiva Rotary meets at the Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way and also on zoom. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., the meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. For more information about Rotary, please visit sanibelrotary.org. All are welcome!
