Stroke: Know the Signs, Act in Time

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April 12, 2010 Articles
Each year in the United States, more than 780,000 strokes occur, making it a leading cause of long-term disabilities and the third leading cause of death in the country.

Stroke is a cerebrovascular injury that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clogged or burst artery. This interruption deprives the brain of blood and oxygen and causes brain cells to die.

Warning Signs
Warning signs are clues your body provides to let you know your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke, call 911 right away. Warning signs include:
  • A crooked smile; droopy arm. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body).
  • Slurred words. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
  • Blind spots. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Fumbling feet. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
  • Brain pain. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear. These brief episodes, known as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are also called mini-strokes. Since these episodes tend to be brief, many people ignore them. However, TIAs may help identify an underlying serious condition that isn’t going to go away without medical help.

Risk Factors
Males and females of all ages and races suffer from strokes. Regardless of age or race, there are risk factors that you should know about. Keep in mind, though, that having a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll have a stroke. On the other hand, if you are missing a risk factor it does not mean you’ll avoid a stroke.

Treatable risk factors for a stroke include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. Some of the most important risk factors can be determined during a physical exam at your doctor’s office. Remember, if you experience a TIA get help at once. And if you have had a stroke in the past, it’s important to reduce your risk of a second stroke.

To learn more about stroke, join a panel of physicians and medical professionals for a special stroke education program on Thursday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Homosassa. The program is hosted by Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center and registration is required. Please call 352.795.1234 or 800.436.8436 to register. The hospital also provides a free online stroke assessment for those interested in learning their risk of stroke in the next 10 years. To take the assessment, visit www.mystrokecenter.com.  
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