Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and from the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a blood clot or bursts.
When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of the blood and oxygen it needs, so it begins to die. If left untreated, stroke may be fatal due to brain damage.
There are two types of stroke – ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke occurs when a clot of fatty deposits forms in a blood vessel supplying the brain and blocks its blood supply. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain around it. The blood pools and compresses sensitive brain tissue. About 83% of strokes are ischemic, while 17% are hemorrhagic.
But there is reason to be optimistic – if diagnosed and treated quickly, damage is minimized and recovery can occur.
While symptoms of stroke can vary, there are some symptoms common to stroke victims that you should know about, including:
- Sudden unexplained weakness or numbness of one side of the face, arm and/or leg;
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or trouble understanding someone else;
- Sudden vision disturbances in one or both eyes;
- Sudden dizziness, trouble walking or loss of balance;
- Sudden severe headache without a known cause.
Any or all of these symptoms are indicative that a stroke has likely taken place. In order to confirm that a stroke has occurred, the National Stroke Association recommends performing this quick test to confirm your suspicions - the test is called "Act F.A.S.T." so it is easy to remember:
F = FACE - ask the person to smile; if one side of his/her mouth droops, a stroke has likely occurred;
A = ARMS - ask the person to lift his/her arms; together if one arm droops or cannot be lifted, a stroke has likely occurred;
S = SPEECH - ask the person to repeat a simple sentence such as, "The sky is blue" - if he/she cannot repeat the sentence clearly or in full, a stroke has likely occurred;
T = TIME - if a person shows any of the above symptoms, call 911 or take him or her to the hospital immediately - time is crucial!
While some strokes cannot be prevented (although others can - this will be covered in a future article), lives can be saved by simply recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke and getting immediate help for victims. Memorizing the above acronym (Act F.A.S.T.) and teaching it to your family and friends can save lives - please share this with everyone you know today.
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