Stroke is a very dangerous health problem, with the 3rd highest ᴍᴏʀᴛᴀʟɪᴛʏ rate in the world after Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases. Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke Will Help Prevent Disease As well as Limit Severe Sequelae.

WHAT ARE THE 5 WARNING SIGNS OF A STROKE?
The five primary signs of a stroke are:

1. Numbness or weakness in one half of your body, which will also help determine which half of your brain the stroke is taking place in (one side of your brain controls the opposite side of your body, so if there’s damage on the right side of your brain, the left side of your body will show symptoms and vice versa).
2. Impaired vision in one or both eyes.
3. Difficulty speaking or understanding what’s happening around you.
4. Sudden dizziness or balance issues resulting in trouble walking.
5. Sudden and unexplained extreme headaches.

These are all extremely serious symptoms, even if you’re only experiencing one or two. If you notice that you or someone around you is exhibiting these symptoms, make note of the time the symptoms started and call 911 immediately.

The most common and easily remembered acronym to help people recognize the symptoms of a stroke and act accordingly is F.A.S.T.:

– Face drooping – Your face has started to droop or go slack on one side
– Arm weakness – This weakness actually applies to your face, your arm, or your leg on either side
– Speech difficulty – Your words are slurred or jumbled and you’re having trouble understanding others
– Time to call 911! – You should call 911 if you’re experiencing any single one of these symptoms

Though less common, other possible symptoms of a stroke may include nausea and vomiting along with vertigo. Additional symptoms stemming from the ones listed above may occur, including trouble walking (because of the loss of balance) and confusion (from difficulty understanding). It’s important to note the approximate time that any symptoms began and list all relevant symptoms noticed in the stroke victim. The emergency room physician will need to have an accurate timeline in order to quickly assess a plan of action for treatment.

Who is at Risk?
Anyone can have a stroke, but some of us are more likely to have one than others. It is important to know if you are at higher risk so that you can ensure you’re aware of the warning signs. You might not be aware if you have a weakened blood vessel that could burst, but other risk factors for stroke can be screened for and often changed.

Most strokes happen when there is a blood clot or blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain. Luckily, many of the factors that increase the risk of these kinds of blockages are under our control so you can take steps to reduce your risk.

You are more likely to have a stroke if:

– You are overweight
– You smoke
– You drink a lot of alcohol
– You have high cholesterol
– Your blood pressure is high
– You have certain conditions such as diabetes or atrial fibrillation

Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and enjoying a healthy lifestyle can help to lower many of these risks.

If you want to find out your stroke risk then you should talk to your doctor or arrange health screening. Getting your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other factors checked can tell you if you are more likely to develop a blood clot or to have a blocked artery that could cause a stroke.

Why It’s Important and What to Do?
If you think that you or another person might be having a TIA or stroke then you need to get help right away. A stroke is a medical emergency as the faster you get treatment, the better. Call an ambulance right away and tell them that you suspect a stroke. Remember that you still need to go to hospital if the symptoms disappear as it may have been a mini-stroke.

The treatment you’re given will depend on the type of stroke, the area of the brain that is affected, and how severe the symptoms are. The first priority will be to restore the blood supply to your brain. It might be possible to dissolve a blood clot using medicine, but sometimes a surgical procedure is required. The sooner that you get this treatment, the better the results.

Once the immediate threat has been treated, you will probably need longer term treatment to prevent more strokes and to help you recover. You might need medication to prevent clots from forming or to reduce your blood pressure. Sometimes surgery is recommended to improve the blood supply to the brain. You might need extra support to manage any long-term effects such as speech or mobility problems. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to treat you and the less likely you are to experience long term effects.

Do you feel better prepared to handle this kind of emergency now? And can you remember what FAST stands for without looking back?