According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures, strokes remain one of the main reasons why Americans find themselves dealing with the effects of long-term disability.

The agency’s figures also show that people living in southeastern states, like Florida, have a very high risk of being one of the individuals affected by the condition. The good news is registered nurses may be able to help southerners before, during and after strokes. Here’s how:

Registered Nurses’ Assistance Before a Stroke

There are several comorbidities that typically put Florida residents at risk for experiencing strokes. Among them are unmanaged high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Registered nurses are adept at helping patients manage all of those conditions as well as lifestyle factors that may also contribute to a Floridian’s stroke risk. Lifestyle factors that fall into the realm of registered nurses’ expertise are nutrition, weight management, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use.

Registered Nurses’ Activities During a Stroke

In addition to helping people reduce their stroke risk, registered nurses in Florida are also well familiar with the signs of stroke activity in both women and men. As such, at the first signs of a stroke, registered nurses may be able to spring into action and provide immediate medical aid. Immediate medical aid, as you may already know, is crucial when it comes to minimizing the negative impact of a stroke event.

Registered Nurses Help After a Stroke

After a stroke, Floridians typically need in-home and outpatient assistance from a variety of medical and non-medical sources. Examples include occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, certified nursing assistants and registered nurses. Registered nurses can work in tandem with those medical and non-medical personnel to ensure that the patient can safely complete activities of daily living. They can also continually assess the person’s condition and offer suggestions on how best to alter the individual’s care plans.

To learn more about how Florida’s registered nurses can help people at risk for enduring a stroke event, please contact us at Best Care. We’ve been helping at-risk and stroke patients in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade Counties receive the high quality nursing care that they deserve since 1980.