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Quick Help Vital

Stroke is a killer. And as with heart attacks swift medical help is essential to ward off death or long-term disability.

"Stroke Is a Medical Emergency -- Call 911!" is the theme of the annual Stroke Awareness Month. The American Heart Foundation says around 600,000 people yearly suffer a new or recurrent brain attack. Some warning signs include:

--Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.

--Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye, or a sudden severe headache with no known or apparent cause.

--Loss of speech, trouble talking or understanding, or unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls.

Early detection and immediate treatment of stroke may prevent some of its brain injury, medical experts say. A new drug called tissue plasminogen activator must be administered within three hours after the onset of stroke symptoms.

Stroke is largely preventable by practicing healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke -- controlling high blood pressure, maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and getting regular medical checkups.