Almost 800,000 people in the US get a stroke every year. About 75 percent of these strokes are first strokes. Because so many people run the risk of getting a stroke for the first time, it is important to know the species of strokes and the signs and symptoms and to understand what to look out for.
Types of strokes
A common misconception is that a stroke is something related to the heart. Many people add a stroke to cardiovascular disease and disorders. Risk factors are similar to those of cardiovascular disease, including obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. However, strokes affect the brain.
Ischemic strokes
About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic strokes. These strokes happen when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked. This often happens because a blood clot comes loose in the heart and travels through the bloodstream until it reaches a blood vessel in the brain that is too small to let the clot through. Another cause of an ischemic stroke is the development of a blood clot on the place where greasy plaques forms in the blood supply to the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations cause hemorrhagic strokes when weakened blood vessels burst. The blood seeps into the surrounding brain, which limits the tissue and becomes tighter.
Passing ischemic attack
A passing ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or a ‘warning stroke’, is a temporary blood block to the brain caused by a clot. Although the clot normally fragments or breaks loose after a few minutes, medical help is immediately necessary. Getting care can help determine the cause and the risk of a future stroke.
Drawing and symptoms of a stroke
Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and taking immediate action can make a big difference in the recovery and quality of life after the event. If you notice these signs or symptoms with yourself or with someone in your area, call 9-1-1. Use the acronym Be Fast to help you remember the signs of a stroke.
- BALANCE: Find someone who has difficulty with balance or has trouble walking.
- Eyes: Changes in vision, such as blurry vision, double seeing or loss of eyesight, his signs that someone has a stroke.
- SIGHT: Hangs the person’s face to one side, especially if that person laughs?
- Poor: Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm hangs down or is numb, this person may have a stroke.
- SPEECH: Pay attention to unclear speech or even an inability to speak.
- TIME: If one of these symptoms is present, it’s time to call 911.
Time is of the essence
The time you spend waiting for the acute headache or resting instead of getting medical care can make a big difference in the quality of your life after a stroke. Postponing a call for help can even mean the difference between life and death. Take the symptoms of a stroke seriously. Call an ambulance to make sure that you quickly go to a hospital that is suitable for a stroke. Every minute is important when it comes to an interruption of blood supply to the brain. The longer it takes to get stabilized, the more likely it is that there will be a lasting impact on speech, motor skills and other functions. Some signs of a stroke may seem small, but you shouldn’t take them that way.
Current treatments can help achieve better results, and there is no time to lose.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-reearch/facts-stats/index.html
https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke- symptoms
https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/ischemic-stroke-clots
https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/hemorragische-strokes-bleeds
https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/tia-transient-ischemic-attack