Stroke Symptoms and Prevention You Shouldn't IgnoreStroke is the

Stroke Symptoms and Prevention You Shouldn't Ignore

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and long-term disability in the world. Every year, millions of people suffer a stroke, and many times the consequences can be catastrophic. The good news is strokes are mostly preventable and treatable, especially when recognizing warning signs.

Whether you live in the USA, UK or Canada, being health-literate and aware of the stroke can save your life or someone else's.

In this guide, we will cover the early symptoms of stroke, how to prevent strokes and what to do if during the stroke.

Index

1. What is a Stroke?

2. Types of Stroke

3. Common Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

4. Causes and Risk Factors of Stroke

5. How to Prevent a Stroke

6. Preventing Stroke with Lifestyle Changes

7. How to Recognize a Stroke - The FAST Test

8. What to do if you think someone is having a stroke

9. Recovering from, and Rehabilitation after Stroke

10. Conclusion - Protect your brain health today

1. What is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced from flowing to the brain. When blood flow is interrupted it prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. After only a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.

2. Types of Strokes

There are three different types of strokes:

a. Ischemic Stroke

The most common type of stroke (87 percent of all strokes), is a blood clot blocking or narrowing a blood vessel leading to your brain.

b. Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel weakens and ruptures inside your brain and bleeds into the surrounding tissue. Causes can include high blood pressure, aneurysms, or trauma.

c. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a "mini-stroke". It is a temporary blockage of blood flow to your brain. Symptoms usually go away in seconds or hours, but it is a serious indication that you may have a more serious stroke in the future.

3. When You Experience Common Symptoms – NEVER IGNORE THEM

Recognizing stroke symptoms quickly can save a life! The symptoms of a stroke are:

Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm or leg – especially on one side of your body

Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

Blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes

Dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance and coordination

Severe headache with no known cause

Symptoms of stroke usually happen suddenly, and require emergency medical assistance

4. Stroke Causes and Risk Factors

There are multiple medical conditions and lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of having a stroke: 

 (a) Medical risk factors 

 -hypertension (high blood pressure)

 -diabetes mellitus

 -hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) 

 -heart disease 

 -atrial fibrillation 

 -obesity 

(b) Lifestyle risk factors 

 -smoking 

 -alcohol abuse 

 -physical inactivity 

 -food choices (food high in saturated fats, trans fats, processed carbohydrates) 

 (c) Demographic risk factors

 -age (greater risk with aging)

 -family pedigree 

 -ethnic background (especially people who could be categorized as Black and South Asian) 

 -sex (men seem to have more strokes, but women tend to die from them more than men) 

5. Stroke prevention 

Stroke prevention is about managing your overall health and choosing healthy lifestyles. If your doctor has told you that you are at risk for stroke, you can reduce your risk by: 

a. manage your blood pressure 

Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke. You want your blood pressure to be less than 120/80 mmHg. Your doctor may prescribe you medication and/or suggest diet changes to help control your blood pressure.   

 b. manage your diabetes 

If you have diabetes, closely monitor your blood sugar levels, which is how the body controls the sugars in your diet. You also want to be compliant with your diabetes treatment plan to control sugars and vascular health down the road.

c. monitor your cholesterol levels 

Your goal is to have a low LDL (low density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol level and a high HDL (high density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol level. Trans fats and saturated fats are advised to be eliminated from your diet.  

d. eliminate smoking 

Strokes are more likely to happen when blood thickens or when plaque builds up in arteries, so continuing to smoke makes it a significant risk factor. 

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6. Lifestyle modification strategies to reduce stroke risk 

The way we go about our daily lives is an important factor in stroke risk.

. Follow a heart-healthy diet.

Be sure to include:

Fresh fruit and veggies

Whole grains

Lean proteins

Non-fat dairy

Healthy fats (like olive oil and avocados)

Be sure to avoid:

Processed foods

Sugary beverages

Too much salt and saturated fat

b. Exercise frequently.

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. Walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing are great choices for this category of exercise.

c. Limit Alcohol.

If you are a drinker, it’s probably best to limit yourself to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

d. Reduce Stress.

Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. If you feel stress is affecting you, consider yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises or writing in a journal.

7. How to Spot a Stroke: The FAST Test.

The FAST acronym provides a simple way to remember the signs of a stroke and prompt you to make a decision quickly, potentially saving brain function and someone's life: 

F - Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A - Arms. Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards?

S - Speech. Is speech slurred or strange?

T - Time. If you see any of these signs, call for help immediately.

If you are in the USA or Canada, call 911. If you are in the UK call 999.

8. What to do if you see signs of a stroke.

Fast action helps protect brain function and potentially someone's life.

a. Call emergency services right away.

Never wait to see if the symptoms improve; call for help immediately at the first sign. 

b. Record the Time

Emergency responders need to know when the symptoms started. This can determine treatment options, such as clot-busting medications.

c. Stay With the Person

You should help to keep the person calm and in a safe position, preferably on their side and with their head slightly elevated.

d. Never Give Food or Drink

You do not know if they have difficulty swallowing, and you may increase the risk of choking.

9. Recovery and Rehabilitation After Stroke

Most stroke survivors can recover with rehabilitation, even though it can take a long time.

a. Physical Therapy

Rebuild strength and movement. 

b. Occupational Therapy 

Rebuild daily living skills, which can include dressing, bathing, and eating.

c. Speech Therapy 

Improve communication and swallowing. 

d. Psychological Support 

The emotional part of recovery is as important as the physical. It is common for stroke victims to suffer from depression and a medical professional should help.

10. Final Thoughts: Safeguard Your Brain Health Today

When you have a stroke, you are experiencing a serious, life threatening event; however, using the knowledge of the symptoms, controlling the medical risk factors, and living a brain-healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of suffering from a stroke.

If you or a loved one recognizes any of the signs or symptoms, do not delay - time lost is brain lost! Making the right decisions right away is critical.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. If I experience a stroke, can it completely be prevented?

No prevention can guarantee 100%; however, by employing a healthy lifestyle and good medical care, you would reduce 80% of strokes.

2. Is stroke genetic?

Stroke can be genetic, which means that if you have a family history of stroke, this can elevate your risk - especially if you are lead a poor lifestyle. 

3. Can younger people have strokes?

Certainly, stroke risk is less at a younger age; however, children and adults under 40 can have strokes - especially if you might have a serious health condition or health risk factors.

4. What tests can a doctor use to diagnose a stroke?

For the most part, doctors will use CAT Scan or MRI Imaging Tests procedures to diagnose, and find the type and location of strokes. 

5. What foods are best for prevention of strokes?

For the most part, green leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish such as salmons (omega-3), nuts and seeds, and whole grains have all been associated with lower risk for strokes.

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