Is It A Stroke? Know The Warning Signs

It’s shocking. There are more than 795,000 strokes every year in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Health (NIH)¹. In fact, strokes cause more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease reports the NIH². That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself, know the warning signs and, as the NIH³ stresses, understand how to take action if you or someone you’re with seems to be having a stroke.

What Exactly Is A Stroke?

There are actually two different kinds of strokes according to the NIH⁴. When it’s caused by a blood clot blocking or plugging a blood vessel in the brain, it’s called an ischemic stroke states the NIH⁵. This is the most common type of stroke says the NIH⁶. When a stroke is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain, this is a hemorrhagic stroke reports the NIH⁷.

There is also something called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a mini stroke. Per Mayo Clinic⁸, a TIA is caused by a temporary decrease in blood to a part of the brain. Because TIAs clear up rather quickly people tend to ignore them observes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)⁹.  But that’s not good. If you think you or someone you know has had a TIA, the CDC¹⁰ says to tell a doctor right away. It could save a life.

Watch For These Symptoms

If you think you or someone you’re with is having a stroke, Mayo Clinic¹¹ advises you look for these symptoms:

• Difficulty speaking or understanding others
• Stumbling when walking or losing balance
• Numbness or even paralysis of the face, arm or leg
• Severe headache and/or dizziness and vomiting
• Blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes

Most important, if you think you’re having a stroke call 911 right away urges Mayo Clinic¹² – don’t wait for the symptoms to subside. The longer it goes untreated says Mayo Clinic¹³, the more likely brain damage will occur.

How To Prevent A Stroke

Here’s the good news. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid a stroke says Mayo Clinic¹⁴ or, if you’ve already had one, reduce the chances of having another. Some steps you should take per Mayo Clinic¹⁵ are to:

• Control your high blood pressure
  
• Manage your diabetes
• Stop smoking
• Cut back on alcohol or stop drinking altogether
•  Eat less cholesterol and saturated fat

Medication May Help

If high cholesterol is one of your risk factors, you may want to consider taking statins reports the American Heart Association (AHA)¹⁶. A recent study showed these drugs help reduce heart attacks and strokes said the AHA¹⁷. Better still, if you’re at risk of heart disease the AHA¹⁸ says statins have been shown to reduce the risk of that as well. 

In short, it's important to prioritize your health and take steps to prevent strokes, which can have devastating consequences. Also, make sure you know the signs of a stroke so if one happens you recognize it and know the steps to take.