Presbyterian | Spring 2019 | Your Story

Spring 2019 Your story Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. P.O. Box 27489 Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Important plan information CC Standard U.S. Postage PAID Presbyterian Health Plan INSIDE En español: Si usted desea obtener este boletín en español, llame al (505) 923-5200 o al 1-888-977-2333. Warning signs Seventy-three percent of young Americans do not know the signs of a stroke and the need for urgent medical care. Stroke is an emergency. Acting quickly can greatly decrease the impact of stroke. A stroke is a brain attack that happens when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks. It stops blood flow to a part of the brain and causes brain cells to die. It’s easy to know the signs of a stroke. Just remember to think FAST. FAST: F= Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A= Arms Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S= Speech Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange? T= Time If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 911. Cybercrime: Stay safe 5 Manage your chronic pain 7 The National Stroke Association wants you to know that stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and at any time. In the U.S., stroke is the fifth highest cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year. And more young people are having strokes. Over the last 10 years, the number of young Americans (under 45 years) who had a stroke increased 44 percent. Younger stroke survivors often live longer after a stroke. As a result, they may deal with the ongoing physical effects of a stroke for a longer period of time. They may also have more problems with finances. While the survivors may deal with more challenges, they have resources to help them come back strong. To learn more about the challenges young stroke survivors may face, visit the American Stroke Association website at www.strokeassociation.org . You can also find a wide range of resources to help support stroke survivors in their recovery. All Presbyterian emergency rooms throughout New Mexico, and many contracted hospitals, are well prepared to handle an acute stroke. They can also transfer patients who need extra care to our Joint Commission-recognized Primary Stroke Center of Excellence at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. The National Stroke Association’s goal, along with the American Stroke Association, is to lower the frequency of stroke and the impact of stroke. It is the only national organization in the U.S. that puts 100 percent of its efforts on stroke through education and programs. These programs focus on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and support for all whom stroke affects. May is National Stroke Awareness Month Take action To learn more about how you can get involved in National Stroke Awareness Month, and to access a stroke 101 facts sheet, go to www.stroke.org .