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| Stroke is a medical emergency and every minute counts. |
A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.
This can be due lack of blood flow caused by blockage (e.g. a blood clot), or bleeding. As a result, the affected area of the brain cannot function, which might result in an inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see properly.
A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent brain damage and death. Click below to read more:
How commonly does stroke occur?
Stroke was the 2nd most frequent cause of death worldwide in 2008, accounting for 6.2 million deaths (about 11% of the total deaths).
Approximately 9 million people had a stroke in 2008 and 30 million people have previously had a stroke and are still alive.
It is ranked after heart disease and before cancer.
The incidence of stroke increases exponentially from 30 years of age. 95% of strokes occur in people age 45 and older, and 66.7% of strokes occur in those over the age of 65.
A person's risk of dying if he or she does have a stroke also increases with age.
However, stroke can occur at any age, including in childhood.
Men are 25% more likely to suffer strokes than women, yet 60% of deaths from stroke occur in women. Since women live longer, they are older on average when they have their strokes and thus more often killed.
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Cigarette or tobacco smoking (active and passive)
- Heavy alcohol intake
- Drug abuse
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity
- Processed red meat consumption
- Unhealthy diet
- Old age
- Previous stroke
High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke. Also, high blood pressure is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide. That means, if high blood pressure is very well controlled, then your risk of having a stroke reduces.
Some risk factors for stroke apply only to women-
Primary among these are: Pregnancy, Childbirth, Menopause and the treatment thereof (i.e. HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy).
Types of Strokes
Stroke symptoms may differ, depending on:
- the type of stroke,
- where it occurs in the brain,
- and how severe it is.
A less severe stroke may be more difficult to recognize.
An ischemic strokehappens when a vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked. It can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, fatty deposits in arteries (atherosclerosis) can cause blood clots to form.
Sometimes a blood clot forms in the heart from an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. It then travels to a place where it blocks an artery supplying the brain.
A hemorrhagic strokeoccurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. This can also occur for a variety of reasons.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a "mini stroke" from a temporary blockage. Although a TIA doesn't cause permanent brain damage, it may cause stroke warning signs, which may last minutes or even hours. Think of this as a warning sign you shouldn't ignore.
Stroke Warning Signs
Sometimes symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But if you are having a stroke, you are more likely to have one or more sudden warning signs like these:
- Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one sid
- Confusion or trouble understanding other people
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Trouble walking or staying balanced or coordinated
- Dizziness
- Severe headache that comes on for no known reason
The important thing is what you do if stroke symptoms occur. The sooner you get treatment, the less chance there is of permanent disability.
What to Do if You Have Symptoms of Stroke
Remember that a stroke is a medical emergency. Sometimes it is even called a brain attack.
Don't ignore stroke warning signs – even if you have just one symptom or if symptoms are mild or go away.
Don't wait! Every minute counts.
Call 911 or emergency medical services (EMS) if you have one or more symptoms for more than a few minutes. An ambulance can get you to a hospital without delay. (If you are in Lagos, please call 767 or 112)
Check the time when symptoms begin. This is important information to share when you arrive at the hospital.
What if you're with someone else who might be having stroke symptoms but you're not sure?
Take charge and call 911 (If you are in Lagos, please call 767 or 112).
Some people may deny that there is a serious problem. They don't want others to make a fuss. Or they might ask, "What's the big rush?"
It may help to remember this:
What's the worst thing that can happen if this isn't a stroke? It’s an unnecessary trip to the hospital.
But what's the worst thing that can happen if you ignore the problem and it turns out to be a stroke? The result could be much worse. Possibly, it could be death.
9jaFlave Health Advisory
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