STROKES: SIGNS, SYMPTOMS & PREVENTION

A stroke aka massive brain attack occurs when there isn’t enough blood flowing to the brain and this may be due to a blockage in the large blood vessels that lead to the brain or may occur when a blood vessel surrounding the brain tissue bursts, and may last 30 minutes or less. When a stroke lasts 30 minutes or less it is known as a mini-stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) but regardless of how long a stroke lasts, treatment should be started immediately. “Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, stroke kills nearly 140,000 people each year, accounts for 1 of every 20 deaths, and is the leading cause of long-term disability. Public awareness of the symptoms of stroke and how to access emergency assistance is essential to increase the likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome” (Patel., et al., 2019).

TYPE OF STROKES

    • Ischemic Stroke: Occurs when the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked due to an occlusion (clot)
    • Hemorrhagic Stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel surround brain tissue bursts
    • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIAs): Also known as “warning strokes” and usually produce the typical signs and symptoms seen in strokes but last for a shorter period of time (30 minutes or less)

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATLEY IF EXPEREIENCING ANY OF THESE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS

    • Abrupt inability to speak/Trouble understanding speech: Slurred speech, Delayed responses, Expressive Aphasia, Receptive Aphasia, Global Aphasia
    • Expressive Aphasia: People know what they want to say but have a difficult time saying it due to not being able to find the right words
    • Receptive Aphasia: People have trouble understanding what is being said to them
    • Global Aphasia: People with global aphasia may be unable to speak, name objects, repeat phrases or follow commands. They also have a hard time understanding what others are saying (American Heart Association., 2019)
    • Facial droops/Facial numbness/Trouble swallowing
    • Difficulty walking, loss of balance and/or dizziness
    • Abrupt onset of headache/Abrupt onset of confusion
    • Numbness or tingling of an arm, leg or both on one side of the body 

STROKE PREVENTION: 80% of stokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices; Over the years researchers have identified many different ways people can take to lower stroke risk

    • Stop smoking: Studies have shown that for every five cigarettes a person smokes each day, the risk of having a stroke goes up by 12%” (Williamson, et al., 2021)
    • Increase daily physical activity or exercise
    • Maintain a healthy/Eat a healthy diet: Diets such as DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) or the Mediterranean diets have been said to help reduces the risk of having a stroke
    • Keep blood pressure under control: High blood pressure or Hypertension is said to be one of the leading causes of strokes in both men and women 

REFERENCES 

American Stroke Prevention. (2019). Life After a Stroke: Our Guide Forward. Retrieved from https://www.stroke.org/-/media/Stroke-Files/life-after-stroke/Life-After-Stroke-Guide_7819.pdf

Patel, A., Fang, J., Gillespie, C., Odom, E., King, S., Luncheon, C., Ayala, C. (2019). Awareness of Stroke Signs and Symptoms and Calling 9-1-1 Among US Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2009 and 2014. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieve from http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.180564

Williamson, L. (2019). 5 Critical Steps to Help Prevent a Stroke. American Heart Association News. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/05/05/5-critical-steps-to-help-prevent-a-stroke