What is a Stroke?

A stroke cuts off blood flow to the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. If a person does not get medical attention quickly, they are at risk of permanent brain damage or death.

Signs of a Stroke in Men and Women:

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic one. It involves a piece of plaque or a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain.

The acronym FAST can help a person to remember the most common symptoms of a stroke, which are:

Face drooping. A stroke can cause numbness or weakness on one side of the face. When a person with this symptom tries to smile, only one side of the mouth may respond.

Arm weakness. A person having a TIA or stroke may be unable to raise one or both arms above the head and keep them there.

Speech difficulty. A person may have difficulty speaking, or their words may not make sense.

Time. If a person has any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance. A stroke is a medical emergency, and receiving urgent treatment can prevent further injury to the brain.

Other symptoms of a stroke include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pain
• Feeling Faint

A person having a stroke may show several symptoms or only one, such as one-sided weakness.

Women were more likely to report “nontraditional” symptoms, such as lightheadedness, headaches, and a change in mental status, such as confusion. Men can also exhibit these symptoms.

What to do if a person is having a stroke

If a person suspects that anyone is having a stroke, they should dial 911 immediately.

Identifying and quickly treating a stroke reduces the risk of brain damage or death. Within 3 hours of the onset of a stroke, a doctor can administer a clot-busting medication.

However, a person who suspects that they are having a stroke should not drive.

Outlook

A stroke is severe, regardless of a person’s gender. Men with warning signs such as high blood pressure and a history of smoking have an increased risk.

The sooner a person receives treatment, the more likely they are to recover.

Preventing a Stroke by Lowering Your Risk:

Although high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, it can also lead to dementia later in life. There are other things you can do to control your risks:

• Quit Smoking
• Lower your cholesterol.
• Eat healthy and keep active
• Exercise regularly and manage your weight
• Manage your diabetes
• Find out whether daily low-dose aspirin is right for you

Managing your diabetes or pre-diabetes lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke – and in turn, your risk for dementia later in life.

Many American diets contain too much sodium, which can lead to high levels of blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

The heart and brain blood vessels are so closely linked that conditions, like high blood pressure, can affect both organs. Exercising and eating healthy helps you take care of your heart and brain as you age.

Reducing high cholesterol will lower your risk for developing a wide variety of serious health issues – including stroke, and heart disease.

The most important thing you can do for your heart and brain health is to know your blood pressure and talk to you doctor about keeping it under control.

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Sources:

https://www.mindyourrisks.nih.gov/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321778.php

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/News-Events/Events-Proceedings/Events/Stroke-Awareness-Month