May is Stroke Awareness Month and Guthrie County Public Health Administrator Lisa Chiodo
says that early recognition is key in preventing some of the more
debilitating effects of strokes.

She says that strokes can cause long term disabilities because they immediately affect the
amount of oxygen to the brain.

If you see someone whose face is drooping, ask them to smile or ask them simple questions
and if they struggle to perform either task, call 911 and get them to a major medical facility as
soon as possible.

She mentions that the normal blood pressure range is now considered to be 130 over 80. High
risk runs in those of us who either have a family history, consume too much salt or smoking
tobacco products.