May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and it is an important time to gain a better understanding of this medical emergency and how it can be prevented. It is imperative that adults of all ages know …
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May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and it is an important time to gain a better understanding of this medical emergency and how it can be prevented. It is imperative that adults of all ages know about the risk factors and symptoms of strokes.
According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, and one in six of us will experience stroke in our lifetime.
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is abruptly stopped due to a blood clot creating a blockage or a blood vessel bursting. This causes brain damage, and it can continue even after symptoms stop. In fact, ischemic strokes unfold over a period of 10 hours, aging the brain years. Depending on severity and how long blood flow was interrupted, a stroke can cause temporary or permanent disability. The sooner you recognize signs of a stroke and seek medical attention, the better your chances of recovering and avoiding serious brain damage or disability.
Recognition and management of stroke risk factors are key to stroke prevention. Primary risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, carotid artery blockage, smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition to monitoring and managing these risk factors, certain diagnostic testing and heart rhythm monitoring can, in many cases, prove beneficial to identify patients who may have an increased risk of stroke.
Heart-healthy lifestyles typically lower the risk of a stroke. You can achieve this by participating in physical activity regularly and eating a healthy diet. A typical healthy diet includes one which is low in salt and fat, and which is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet is one specific diet that has been found to be more stroke preventative. Of course, patients with certain risk factors such as diabetes might need to tailor their goals with a more specific diet. Routine physical activity multiple times per week is also important for stroke prevention. And finally, an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle is regularly seeing a doctor to monitor your heart and figure out the best plan for you.
Ideally, you can reduce your risk of stroke by managing your heart health. But recognizing the warning signs of stroke can still protect both yourself and your loved ones. The sooner you get to a hospital, the sooner we can do testing to diagnose you, like imaging scans or blood tests.
We recommend using the acronym "B.E. F.A.S.T." for recognizing a stroke:
Balance: Has the person suddenly lost their balance?
Eyes: Has the person's vision suddenly degraded in one or both eyes?
Face: Does the person's face look uneven? If you can't tell, try having the person smile.
Arm: Is one arm weak?
Speech: Is the person having trouble speaking or using slurred speech? Do they seem confused?
Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately.
To learn more about neurology care available in the area reach out to the Advanced Brain and Spine Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart at (850) 416-2554.
Dr. Terry Neill is a vascular neurologist and neurointensivist at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola.