Stroke Warning Signs

By now, everyone should be aware that smoking practically doubles your chance of heart disease, as well as stroke. Several other factors that you may not be aware of can also put you at risk. High blood pressure, diabetes, arterial disease, cardiac arrhythmia, hypercholesterolemia, sickle cell anemia, and prior TIA or heart attack are all diseases or disorders that can contribute to an increased risk of stroke.

In addition to obesity, inactivity, poor dietary habits, drug or alcohol abuse, and living in the southern states of the U.S. can all drastically increase the risk.

Strokes are categorized in three ways. The first, a TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a kind of warning, and usually does not result in permanent damage. The second type of stroke is an ischemic stroke that occurs as the result of a blood clot. If the blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the right side of the brain, the left side of the body will be affected by the stroke.

The third type of stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain, and is called a hemorrhagic stroke for this reason. The bleeding causes a stroke by increasing pressure on the brain.

If you, or someone close to you is at risk for a stroke, it is very important to learn to recognize the symptoms.
1. Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg that is confined to one side of the body.
2. Facial weakness or facial drooping.
3. Confusion, difficulty with speech, or difficulty with comprehension.
4. Paralysis of an arm or leg confined to one side of the body.
5. Difficulty with ambulation or balance.
6. A sudden, severe, unexplained headache.
7. Nausea and vomiting.
8. Stiffness of the neck.
9. Dizziness.
10. Irritability.
11. Seizures.
12, Loss of consciousness.

These symptoms can occur suddenly, or over a period of days. According to Webmd, the symptoms of a stroke are graduated. This means that they are progressive in such a way that weakness in an arm will progress to paralysis of that arm.

If you or a member of your family are at risk for a stroke, it is important to be prepared in case of an emergency. Keep emergency numbers close at hand. Have a list of prescription and over the counter medications that the patient is taking available at all times. Know which hospitals provide stroke care and are close to you.

If you suspect that you, or a loved one are experiencing a stroke, seek medical attention even if the symptoms abate. Make a note of the time that the first symptoms occurred, the hospital/ emergency medical service, will need this information. Above all, if you experience the symptoms of a stroke, do not put off calling 911. Timing is critical in order to reduce the amount of damage that a stroke can cause.

Kunz, J.R.M. The AMA Family Medical Guide. New York: Random House

The American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org