Signs Of A Stroke

Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment

If you or someone you know is having a stroke, a quick diagnosis and treatment might be the difference between life or death or permanent paralysis if the stroke victim survives. So it is essential that you know the signs of a stroke.The odds of not only surviving a stroke but recovering from one are dramatically increased if you get the stroke victim to a hospital within three hours of the attack.

First, some facts about strokes and who is mmost likely to suffer one.Strokes kill one person each minute in the U.S. alone. Of the 750,000 victims each year, one-third die, and another third suffer permanent paralysis, loss of speech or memory lapses.

Strokes are caused by plaque build up in the arteries or by a plaque fragment that breaks free and lodges in the brain, shutting off the blood supply.

Risk Factors

Persons who are at risk for stroke are:
1) Hereditary–If a person comes from a family where other members have suffered strokes.
2) Gender–Women are more likely to have a stroke than men.
3) Age–The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55.  While stroke is common among the elderly, a lot of people under 65 also have strokes.
4) Race–African Americans are more likely to have one than are Caucasians.
5) Medical History–Sickle cell anemia. Sickled red blood cells are unable to carry as much oxygen to the rest of the body. They adhere to the blood vessel walls,which clogs the arteries to the brain and causes a stroke.
Also, persons who have already had a stroke before or a TIA, a mini-stroke with no permanent damage,are much more likely to have another stroke.

Stroke Symptoms

You can tell if someone you’re with is having a stroke by asking them four simple questions

1.See if the individual can smile at you. His smile will appear to be crooked if he’s having a stroke.
2.) Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e. It’s a beautiful day today. If the person is having a stroke, he will find this difficult to do.
3.See if the person can raise both arms over his head. He’ll just be able to raise one.
4.Ask the person to stick out his or her tongue. If the person can’t stick his tongue out straight, then it’s likely a stroke is the cause.
If any of these tasks were a prblem to complete, it’s time to get to the hospital immediately. Start with 911 and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Additional signs of a TIA, or mini-stroke, include a feeling that one leg or arm is heavier than the other and walking or climbing stairs is difficult.The victim might trip going up the stairs because one leg didn’t clear a stair. A victim is likely to lose his balance if he gets up out of a chair quickly and might fall down and have difficulty getting up.

If you or the person you’re with are exhibiting these symptoms, get to a hospital immediately and tell them you think you you or the person you’re with is having a stroke.You’ll get top priority for getting an immediate diagnosis and treatment. And you dodged a bullet today! The odds are you will survive and not experience any permanent damage.

But, remember, if this happens as I’ve described, you have been given a warning and need to take preventative measures to ensure you’ll live your full life.

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Filed under: Health and Fitness: Heart Disease

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