Is This a Stroke?
By Kathy Ferguson, RN, Parish Nurse
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the leading preventable cause of disability. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke.
Stroke is an older person’s disease—Right? No…a stroke can happen at any age! In 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old. Risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes are happening at younger ages. This article focuses on signs and symptoms of stroke, what to do if you suspect a stroke, and what you can do to protect yourself from having a stroke.
First things first. The American Stroke Association recommends using the letters in FAST to spot stroke signs and know when to call 911:
F Face drooping
A Arm weakness
S Speech difficulty
T Time to call 911
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1. Time is important! Don’t delay. Are you unsure if you should call 911? Call anyway. It is better to err on the side of safety.
Signs of a stroke:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
– Look for drooping of one side of the face. Is the face numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided?
– Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech difficulty
– Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the person able to correctly repeat the words?
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
– Is there blurred vision, double vision, sudden visual loss?
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
– Take note of instability, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, or paralysis of one side of the body.
– There may be a sense of general, overall fatigue.
There are two types of stroke:
• An ischemic stroke happens when a clot blocks a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. It’s the most common type, accounting for 87% of all strokes. The treatment goal is to bust or remove the clot.
• A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. The treatment goal is to stop the bleeding.
Also important to mention is the transient ischemic attack (TIA). You may have heard it referred to as a “ministroke”. A TIA is a temporary blockage in an artery that does not cause permanent damage. They do increase your risk for stroke.
Can a stroke be prevented?
• 80% of strokes in adults are preventable (American Stroke Association). However, after having a stroke, risks are much higher for having another one.
• The following brain health habits will look familiar. These habits not only help to keep your brain healthy but are also good for your heart and nearly all systems in your body:
– Prevent or control high blood pressure
* High blood pressure is the No. 1 risk factor for stroke. Have your blood pressure checked and control it.
– Be physically active
– Control blood sugar
* Diabetes can cause a number of health complications if not treated or controlled.
– Eat healthy
* The same diet for a healthy heart applies to a healthy brain! Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains to lower your risk for stroke.
– Lose weight
* A healthy weight can lead to health benefits like better regulation of your blood pressure and blood sugar.
– Manage cholesterol
* A healthy brain requires normal blood flow and oxygen, which may be impacted by high cholesterol.
– Stop smoking
* Smoking is a leading risk factor for stroke.
The bottom line is to take care of yourself by developing healthy habits to prevent strokes. Be aware of signs of a stroke and if they are present, call 911 right away. Brain health is just as important as heart health. Take care of your brain!
Resources/References:
American Stroke Association http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/
National Stroke Association http://www.stroke.org/
Million Hearts https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm