Today, October 29 is World Stroke Day. The theme for this year is #GreaterThanStroke. World Stroke Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical importance of stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery, and encouraging us all to take steps to be #GreaterThanStroke. This year’s theme emphasizes leveraging the emotional power of sport to inspire action in preventing strokes and supporting rehabilitation efforts for survivors.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when part of your brain doesn’t have enough blood flow. This most commonly happens because of a blocked artery or bleeding in your brain. Without a steady supply of blood, the brain cells in that area start to die from a lack of oxygen. A stroke is an emergency condition where every second counts. The quicker stroke is treated, the more likely you will recover without disability.
Symptoms
If you or someone you’re with is suspected to be having a stroke, pay attention to the time the symptoms began. Some treatments are most effective when given soon after a stroke begins. Symptoms of stroke include:
• One-sided weakness or paralysis
• Aphasia (difficulty with or loss of speaking ability)
• Slurred or garbled speaking (dysarthria)
• Loss of muscle control on one side of your face
• Sudden loss — either partial or total — of one or more senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch)
• Blurred or double vision (diplopia)
• Loss of coordination or clumsiness (ataxia)
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches (usually sudden and severe)
• Passing out or fainting
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go or they disappear completely. Think “FAST” and look out for the following:
• F (Face drooping): Check if one side of the face droops. Ask the person to smile to see if it’s uneven.
• A (Arm weakness): Ask the person to raise both arms to determine if one arm drifts downward due to weakness.
• S (Speech difficulties): Look for slurred or incoherent speech. Ask the individual to repeat a simple sentence.
• T (Time to call emergency services): If any of these signs are present, seek
emergency assistance immediately.
• Early recognition and rapid response play a pivotal role in minimizing the potential damage from a stroke.
Risk Factors
Many factors can increase the risk of stroke. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include:
• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy or binge drinking
• Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine
• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation.
• Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack.
Other factors associated with a higher risk of stroke include:
• Age — People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger people.
• Race or ethnicity — African American and Hispanic people have a higher risk of stroke than people of other races or ethnicities.
• Sex — Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they’re more likely to die of strokes than men.
• Hormones — Taking birth control pills or hormone therapies that include oestrogen can increase the risk of having a stroke.
Stroke Prevention
While lifestyle changes cannot prevent all strokes, many of these changes can make a
significant difference in lowering your risk. Actions you can take include:
• Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting now will lower your risk of stroke.
• Limit alcohol use: Heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of stroke.
• Keep a moderate weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of stroke. To help manage your weight, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active. Both steps can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise can lower blood pressure, increase the levels of good cholesterol, and improve the overall health of the blood vessels and heart. It also helps you lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress.
Important
If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of a stroke, it is important to seek
emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. Early treatment is one of the most
effective ways to reduce your risk of long-term complications and disability.
While it is not always possible to completely prevent a stroke, certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk.