Important to Understanding Stroke Symptoms and Risk Factors

Experiencing a stroke can be frightening and life-changing. Knowing the signs to look for and how to avoid certain risk factors diminishes the chances of a stroke. Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, is a major sign of a stroke.

Other Stroke Symptoms - Look Out

Other factors include abrupt onset of confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden double vision or difficulty with vision also can cause concern. Quick onset of dizziness, loss of balance or coordination or immediate, severe headaches should also be considered as warning symptoms before a stroke.

Recognizing Stroke Symptoms in Others

To recognize stroke symptoms in others, use the F.A.S.T. method, which stands for face, arm, speech and time. First, look at the face to see if one side of the face droops when the person smiles. Next, determine if one arm drifts downward when the individual raises both arms. Third, ask the person to repeat a simple phrase to see if the speech sounds slurred or strange. Lastly, if you find any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Understanding Risk Factors

Along with noticing the symptoms before a stroke, individuals should also be aware of the risk factors. Some potential risks can be changed while others cannot. Age, race, heredity and having a previous stroke can't be modified. However, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, blockage in the carotid artery, heavy alcohol use, or a-trial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) can be altered.

Simple steps such as stopping smoking or avoiding alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Smoking causes arteries to narrow, blood to be more likely to clot, and increases blood pressure. Smokers who don't quit are five times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Risk can decrease within a year after stopping smoking.

Working closely with healthcare providers will also help maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can recommend methods to lessen the chances for a stroke. All doctors encourage exercise. Increasing physical activity raises good cholesterol and also dilates arteries, which lowers blood pressure. Make sure to get permission from a doctor before beginning any exercise program. Once given the go ahead, set a goal to exercise at least 30 minutes three to four times per week.

Preventing Risk Factors

Other preventions include diuretics, known as water pills, which reduce the volume of blood in the body and in turn lower high blood pressure. Dieting will keep plaque from forming in arteries. A low-fat and low-cholesterol diet aids in reaching and maintaining ideal weight. The American Heart Association suggests that people get less than 30% of their daily calories from fat and less than 7% from saturated fat. Eating less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day and consuming high fiber foods such as oatmeal, dried beans and fruits will help lower cholesterol.

Besides diet and exercise, treatments are available to decrease risk for a stroke. Anti-platelet agents are drugs that assist in keeping platelets from sticking together in the blood and forming clots. Another medication, anti-coagulants, also reduces the ability of blood to clot. Doctors typically order these drugs for patients with a-trial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis. The third type of treatment, called ACE inhibitors and Angiotensis II receptor blockers, lowers high blood pressure.

Being fully aware of stroke symptoms and risk factors can prevent permanent damage and help people live a long, healthy life.