Understanding Strokes: Symptoms, Prevention, and Recovery
Strokes are one of the leading causes for death in the United States, ranking fifth overall. Every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. In the past few decades, research has improved, allowing for about 80% of strokes to be prevented. However, you must take responsibility for yourself, making lifestyle and health-related changes.
What is a stroke?
A stroke, also known as a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. When blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, brain cells cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need. This causes them to die within minutes, and once brain cells die, they cannot be repaired or replaced.There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are caused by the blockage of an artery or vein. Most strokes (about 87%) are ischemic, while the rest are hemorrhagic.
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel becomes clogged, which stops blood flow to a specific part of the brain. The blood clot can be due to buildup of cholesterol/plaque or fatty deposits.The brain cells and tissues immediately begin to die. Ischemic strokes can further be divided into 2 groups: Thrombotic and embolic strokes. Thrombotic strokes are caused by a thrombus (blood clot) that blocks the arteries supplying blood to the brain. They can happen when sleeping or early in the morning, but can occur at any time of day and may even take days to develop. On the other hand, embolic strokes are caused by a blood clot that forms somewhere else in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain. Embolic strokes can cause heart disease, and usually occur quickly with no warning signs.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, and take place when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures. This can build up pressure on the brain cells, damaging and irritating them and even causing swelling. The damage of a hemorrhagic stroke is usually worse than the damage of an ischemic stroke, but the aftermath depends on the size and location of the stroke. There are also 2 types of hemorrhagic strokes: intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke. Intracerebral hemorrhages are caused by hypertension, or high blood pressure, and can cause sudden bleeding. Subarachnoid hemorrhages are caused by bleeding between the brain and the meninges in the subarachnoid space. This is usually due to an aneurysm or trauma.
What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of stroke can appear throughout the whole body. For instance, there may be visual signs and symptoms, like blurred or double vision and temporary loss of vision in one eye. Other common signs and symptoms include difficulty walking, paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech, and lightheadedness.
To identify the early signs of a stroke and potentially save a life, use the mnemonic FAST.
F - Facial drooping. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
A - Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm higher than the other?
S - Speech. Ask the person to speak. Is their speech slurred?
T - Time to call 911 - If you see any of these signs and more, call 911 immediately.
What causes a stroke?
There are many causes for stroke: some are out of your control, but most are based on your
lifestyle. Risk factors include diet, drug abuse, hypertension, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use, age (especially for ages 55+), gender (higher in men), race (people of African or Hispanic descent), and family history. Nonetheless, even if you are under the age of 55 or do not have any family history, strokes can still happen to anybody. Remember, swift action saves lives, and don’t forget to take care of your own health!
Sources
● https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke/diagnosis
● https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stroke/types-of-stroke\