Did you know every year an estimated 17 million strokes occur worldwide? It is the No. 2 cause of death and the leading cause of prolonged disability. Stroke is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. This results in a lack of oxygen, killing many blood cells per minute. Many are prone to having a stroke, but it commonly occurs among women, people of color, and those who have high blood pressure.
It is very important to know when one is about to undergo a stroke. The F.A.S.T acronym helps to determine these symptoms:
- Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
- Time to Call 9-1-1: If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately. *Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
There are many variations of stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, 87 percent of strokes are classified as ischemic. This type of stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is inhibited by a blocked blood vessel. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel spilling into the brain. About one in three ischemic strokes are classified as cryptogenic which is a stroke of an unknown cause. A TIA (transient ischemic attack) also known as a “mini stroke” or “warning stroke” is a temporary blockage with symptoms lasting less than five minutes.
Strokes can be prevented through simple healthy habits such as refraining from smoking, being physically active, having a balanced diet, and managing cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
The American Heart Association is dedicated to spreading awareness and the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stoke through World Stroke Day on October 29th. Their main mission is to encourage those who have had a stroke to consider rehabilitation to help redevelop their strength, confidence, and better manage other health conditions that raise the chances of a second stroke. In addition to World Stroke Day, the I Will Again movement motivates stroke survivors to pursue their passions despite the after effects of having a stroke. For more information on World Stroke Day, October 29th visit https://worldstrokeday.strokeassociation.org/#
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