National Stroke Awareness Month, which was started in May 1989, calls attention to the prevalence of stroke in the United States. Would you be surprised to know that those of us who live in the Southeast face the highest risk of stroke in America?
Anyone of any age can suffer a stroke but the risk of this medical emergency climbs as we age. If you already have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, are obese or have a current or past history of smoking, you are dealing with the leading causes of stroke. One in every three Americans of adult age have at least one of these contributing factors.
Most seniors fear this condition as much for the post-stroke result as they do for the actual event itself. Seniors know that even a small stroke can compromise their independence. If you are 65 or older and suffer a stroke, you are likely to sustain the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. – reduced mobility.
Symptoms Come On Quickly
While there are two types of stroke, an ischemic event, when a clot impedes the flow of blood, accounts for the majority of these medical emergencies. The less frequent instance, a hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when a blood vessel within the brain is ruptured or perforated. Individuals with arterial hypertension are more likely to suffer the second type. Transient-Ischemic-Attacks (TIAs), which are often called mini-strokes, generally last only a few moments but they are to be taken seriously. An early warning sign of a future stroke, 40% of the individuals who suffer a TIA go on to have a full-blown stroke.
It is critical that you know the early warning signs of stroke and seek medical help immediately if you or someone you are with is in trouble. The signs of stroke, which are the same for men and women, have one common characteristic – speed. The signs come on suddenly and they require immediate action.
Key indicators of stroke include:
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- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
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Treatment: Every Second Counts
Whether you or your companion is suffering a stroke or a TIA, the response is the same – Act F.A.S.T. That’s a well-known acronym for the five warning signs of stroke:
Facial drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulties
Time
If you suffer any of these symptoms or if you see one or more of them in a friend, call 911 and request an ambulance immediately. Do not attempt to drive your friend to the hospital. EMTs can begin life-saving treatment on the way, preserving that precious window of time when seconds count.
The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within three hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these treatments if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time. Not only do these treatment protocols save lives, they can help to minimize post-stroke disability as well.
Most importantly, resist the urge to think everything is alright if your symptoms ease in a few moments, that subsiding could point to a TIA.
