Stroke: Recognize the Signs and Act Fast
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is
interrupted, causing brain cells to die. It’s a medical emergency that requires
immediate action to reduce damage and save lives.
There are two main types of strokes:
- Ischemic
Stroke: Caused by a blocked blood vessel (most common, ~85% of cases).
- Hemorrhagic
Stroke: Caused by bleeding into the brain due to a ruptured vessel.
Signs and Symptoms: The FAST Rule
To identify a stroke quickly, remember the acronym FAST:- F
– Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
- A
– Arm weakness: Is one arm weaker or numb? Ask them to raise both arms.
- S
– Speech difficulty: Is their speech slurred or hard to understand?
- T
– Time to call emergency services: If you notice any of these signs, act
FAST and call for help immediately.
Risk Factors
Certain factors increase the risk of stroke:- High
blood pressure (the leading cause)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High
cholesterol
- Obesity
and physical inactivity
- Heart
disease (e.g., atrial fibrillation)
Diagnosis and Treatment- Diagnosis:
Brain imaging (CT or MRI) confirms the type of stroke.
- Treatment:
- Ischemic
Stroke: Blood clot removal using medications like tPA
(thrombolytics) or mechanical thrombectomy.
- Hemorrhagic
Stroke: Managing blood pressure, surgery, or interventions to stop
bleeding.
Prevention: Reduce Your Risk- Control
blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Quit
smoking.
- Maintain
a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Manage
heart conditions with regular check-ups.
- F
– Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
Takeaway
Recognizing a stroke and acting quickly saves lives.
Learn the FAST signs, manage your risk factors, and encourage regular
health check-ups. Every minute counts!