Content

• Steps
• Warning

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and can cause complications and lifelong disability. A stroke is considered an emergency and requires immediate treatment. You should learn to recognize the signs of stroke, as timely assistance can ensure the proper treatment and reduce the patient's likelihood of disability.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Watch for the signs of stroke

1. 

   Watch for the signs of a stroke. There are many signs that a person is about to have a stroke, including the sudden onset of symptoms:
   • Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body. One side of the face may sag when the person tries to laugh
   • Confusion, difficulty in talking or understanding what others are saying, slurred speech
   • Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, dark eyes, or one or two
   • Severe headache, usually of no known cause, and may accompany vomiting
   • Difficulty walking, loss of balance or loss of coordination with dizziness

2. 

   
   
   Watch for symptoms that are characteristic of women. In addition to the common symptoms of stroke, women may also exhibit their own signs. These signs are:
   • Weak
   • Rapidly breath
   • Sudden or agitated behavior changes
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Hiccups
   • Illusion

3. 

   
   
   Check for signs of stroke by method of “FAST.FAST are abbreviated English letters used to recall how to check for signs of stroke.
   • F- FACE (face): Ask the victim to laugh. Is one side of their face sagging?
   • A- ARMS (arms): Ask the patient to raise both arms. Is one arm falling?
   • S- SPEECH (speech): Ask the patient to repeat a few simple phrases. Are their voices furrowed or strange?
   • T- TIME (time): If you see any of the above signs, you need to quickly call ambulance number 115.

4. 

   
   
   Seek immediate medical help. If you suspect you have had a stroke, you need to quickly call the ambulance number 115. In the case of a stroke, every minute counts. For every minute that passes without treatment, the victim can lose 1.9 million neurons. This reduces your chances of recovery and increases the risk of complications or death.
   • Also, there's a small “treatment window” (golden period) for ischemic stroke, so it's important to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
   • Some hospitals have departments specially equipped for stroke treatment. If you are at risk of having a stroke, it is helpful to find out where these centers are located.
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Part 2 of 3: Know your risk factors

1. 

   Health status assessment. A stroke can happen to anyone; however, some people are at higher risk than others. Talk to your doctor about your high risk of stroke due to the following conditions:
   • Diabetes
   • Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation (a-fib) or stenosis
   • Have previously had a stroke or transient cerebral ischemia (TIA)

2. 

   Consider living habits. If you live a lifestyle that doesn't prioritize exercise and healthy eating, you have a higher risk of stroke. Some life habits that can increase your risk of stroke include:
   • Being overweight or obese
   • Less physical activity
   • Drink a lot of alcohol or use drugs
   • Smoking
   • High Blood Pressure
   • High cholesterol

3. 

   Learn about genetic factors. There are some unavoidable risks that you may face. These factors are:
   • Age: By age 55, your stroke risk doubles every 10 years
   • Race or ethnicity: African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians are at a higher risk of stroke
   • Women are at a slightly higher risk
   • Family history of a loved one who had a stroke

4. 

   Identify other risk factors if you are female. There are other factors that can affect a woman's risk of stroke. These factors include:
   • Birth control pills: Oral contraceptives can increase your risk of stroke, especially if there are additional risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure.
   • Pregnancy: Pregnancy increases blood pressure and puts pressure on the heart
   • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Women often take hormone replacement therapy for relief of menopausal symptoms
   • Migraine feels aura: The proportion of women with migraines is higher than that of men, and migraines are often associated with a higher risk of stroke.
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Part 3 of 3: Understanding stroke

1. 

   Know how the stroke works. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain for oxygen and nutrients is blocked or decreased. This condition can cause brain cells to start dying almost immediately. A prolonged lack of blood supply can cause brain death, leading to long-term disability.

2. 

   Understand two types of stroke. Most stroke cases fall into two categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is caused by blood clots blocking blood supply. Most (about 80%) of all strokes are caused by ischemia. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weak blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain.

3. 

   Know about transient ischemic attacks. This type of stroke, also known as a TIA, is a mild stroke. This is a "temporary" blockage of blood supply to the brain. For example, a small moving blood clot can temporarily clog a blood vessel. Although the symptoms are similar to those of a major stroke, ischemic stroke takes place in a shorter time, typically less than 5 minutes. Symptoms appear and disappear within 24 hours.
   • However, you cannot determine whether you are having a transient ischemic attack or stroke based solely on your timing and symptoms.
   • Either way, it's important to call an ambulance, as transient anemia signals the possibility of a stroke in the future.

4. 

   Awareness of disability caused by stroke. Disability sequelae after stroke can include movement problems (paralysis), ability to think, speak, memory loss, etc. These sequences can be mild or severe, depending on the severity. of the stroke (clot size, degree of brain damage) and how long the patient received treatment. advertisement

Warning

• Record the time when symptoms first appeared. The doctor will need to know this when treating patients.
• Hold the phone in your hand or close to it. When the victim has one of the above symptoms, call an ambulance.
• The patient may exhibit only one stroke symptom. However, finding urgent medical attention is still extremely important.