A stroke can happen to anyone at any time (regardless of age, race or sex) and 4 out of 5 families will be affected by stroke during their lifetimes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death – right behind heart disease and cancer, and the leading cause of disability among adults in North America. As such, this disease places a huge burden on society. Most strokes occur in people over age 65 with stroke risk more than doubling each decade after age 55. What is surprising is that less than half of those over 50 are aware of what a stroke is, signs and symptoms of stroke, and the importance of getting immediate medical attention.
What is a Stroke?
The brain needs a constant supply of nutrient- and oxygen- rich blood in order to function. A stroke occurs when this vital blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted or when blood vessels in the brain burst, spilling blood into the surrounding space. When this happens, the nerve cells in your brain die and cannot be repaired or replaced. Since different areas of the brain control different functions, how a person will be effected by a stroke depends on what area of the brain was damaged and how much damage occurred. Thus, it is critical to obtain medical care as soon as possible when a stroke is suspected in order to drastically reduce the risk of brain damage, disability or even death.
Symptoms of Stroke
According to the American Stroke Association, less than 75 percent of the population can name the most common warning signs of stroke. Some of the symptoms are similar to someone who has been drinking – the difference is that they occur suddenly rather than progressively:
-Weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg, even if temporary
-Disrupted or slurred speech
-Confusion
-Unexplained dizziness
-Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, even if temporary
-Sudden and severe headache
-Trouble walking (loss of balance or coordination), especially with any of the other symptoms
A stroke can be very mild or very severe. Sometimes the symptoms are so subtle that it's not that easy to pick up on. A co-worker suffered a mild stroke last year. While we knew something was wrong we did not realize the problem because they too were aware they were 'off' and avoided interacting with us. Their symptoms were not severe and they were embarrassed about being 'a bit forgetful' and 'different'.
If you suspect someone has had a stroke do a simple 'FAST' test:
F= FACE
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
A= ARMS
Have the person raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S= SPEECH
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can they repeat it without slurring?
T= TIME
If you recognize a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Prevention
Many risk factors are uncontrollable. As such, you should not worry about them, but should be aware. These include: age, gender (women have a higher fatality rate from stroke and post menopausal women have an increased risk of stroke), ethnic background (First Nation People and those of African or South Asian descent are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes thus are at higher risk), Hereditary blood disorders (Sickle cell anemia), having a close family history of stroke (parents, siblings or children) or having had a stroke previously.
The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable with lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk factors you can control, such as:
High blood pressure
Atrial Fibrillation (abnormal heartbeat)
High Cholesterol
Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup- fatty deposits and other cells – in artery walls)
Diabetes
Obesity
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Regular health care provider check-ups are important to make sure your numbers (weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level) are where they should be. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke. It can damage blood vessel walls where plaque will then collect and very high blood pressure can cause burst blood vessels in the brain.
If you are diabetic, try to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. (Diabetic stroke risk is 2.5 times higher.)
Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking excessively increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Limit yourself to: women – 2 drinks / day and a maximum of 10/week; men – 3 drinks / day and a maximum of 15/week.
Maintain a healthy body weight. It is recommended that we maintain a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2. If you are overweight or obese any weight loss (as little as 10 percent) will effectively lower your blood pressure. Calculate your BMI here.
Increase your physical activity. Exercise can dramatically lower blood pressure and help maintain healthy body weight, but remember to set realistic goals.
Reduce your salt intake. Almost all of us eat too much salt (sodium). The average American eats almost twice the safe level each day. Processed foods are a significant source of sodium so read the label before you buy anything.
Bulk up on Fiber. Unfortunately, almost everyone is fiber deficient. Fiber helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improves circulation and reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. Experts suggest a daily intake of 25-38g of fiber daily, but the typical Western diet only provides about half of that.
Stop Smoking. Once you become smoke-free and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, you immediately reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Multiple factors will influence your health but the best thing to do for yourself and your loved ones is to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Photo Credit: david shankbone
