Friends, a stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Every year, millions of lives are affected by strokes worldwide. Knowing the warning signs can make a crucial difference in seeking timely medical assistance, potentially preventing severe consequences or death.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This can happen due to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel rupture (hemorrhagic stroke). Some warning signs to consider are:
Sudden Numbness or Weakness: One side of the face, arm, or leg may suddenly feel numb, weak, or paralyzed. Ask the person to smile: if one side of their face droops, it could indicate a stroke.
Confusion or Trouble Speaking: Difficulty speaking or understanding speech, slurred speech, or confusion could be signs of a stroke.
Vision Problems: Blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes or sudden difficulty seeing out of one eye may occur.
Severe Headache: A sudden and severe headache, often described as the worst headache of one’s life, could indicate a stroke, especially if it occurs abruptly without a known cause.
Trouble Walking or Coordination Issues: Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems might manifest during a stroke.
Acting quickly is crucial. Use the “FAST” acronym to remember the warning signs:
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
- A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call emergency services immediately. Time lost is brain lost.
- Identifying the warning signs of a stroke is important for prompt medical intervention. Additionally, we all should consider our future risk of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in adults. Addressing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, inactivity…. can make a significant difference in reducing future risk.
