4 Signs and Symptoms of Brain Stroke

What is a stroke?

Well, a stroke is a sort of brain injury that occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain becomes blocked or bursts, cutting off the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, which is required for the brain to operate properly.

 

Type of Strokes

When it comes to strokes, a blocked blood vessel is responsible for around 87% of all strokes. So a blood clot becomes stuck in there and blocks off blood supply to a section of the brain.

The other type of stroke, a bleeding stroke (also known as a hemorrhagic stroke), is significantly less common, accounting for just around 13% of all strokes.

 

What happens to the brain when a stroke occurs?

So, what happens if the blood and oxygen supply is cut off? So, for every minute that the brain is deprived of oxygen, roughly 1.9 million neurons, 14 billion synapses, and 7.5 miles of myelinated fibres are lost, and a pea-sized section of brain tissue dies after about 12 minutes from the start of a stroke. When a stroke first occurs within a few minutes, there is a small area of the brain that is permanently impacted and a larger area of tissue that can be saved if blood flow to the brain is restored. As time passes, the salvageable brain, or penumbra, becomes less and the core infarct becomes larger until they are matched and the stroke is completed. Then there's nothing we can do to treat the stroke. The symptoms of a stroke vary depending on which part of the circulatory system is affected by the blood clot.

 

Statistics for Strokes in the United States

So we want to think of a stroke as a brain attack. Everyone is familiar with a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a specific part of the heart is blocked. Well, you may think of a stroke as a stoppage of blood flow to a part of the brain. Every year, roughly 795,000 people in the United States suffer from strokes. In the United States, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death. However, it is the most common cause of adult impairment.

 

So this figure on the right depicts the United States, and that very dark purple area is what we call the United States' stroke belt, and it's where the highest stroke death rates are in the southeastern half of the country.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Let's talk about how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

1. Sudden Loss of Balance

Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination, or are they attempting to walk but falling to one side or the other? Maybe they're walking as they've just finished a bottle of Jack Daniels? Although you knew they hadn't had anything to drink, they suddenly lost their balance and coordination, which led to the area of the brain. So, on the right, you can see the cerebellum, which is the very bottom region of the brain that regulates our balance and coordination. So a stroke in that location could cause you to lose your balance suddenly.

 

2. Sudden loss of vision

Is there a sudden loss of vision or a decline in vision in one or both eyes? It could just be a partial loss of vision in one or both eyes, maybe half of the vision in one or both eyes, and that type of stroke happens in the very rear region of the brain. On the right, you'll notice a small section, which indicates that a stroke in that area of the brain can cause visual issues.

 

3. Facial Droop

Is there a facial droop? When you ask someone to smile, does one side of their face droop? Does one arm slip down when you ask them to lift both arms? This can also apply to the leg. However, it is not as common as arm numbness or weakness. That's the same circulation zone that you see in the top area of the brain, so that's the area of circulation where a stroke happens and affects the face, arm, and leg.

 

4. Slurred Speech

Do they have slurred speech? Are they unable to communicate in any way? Is it difficult to comprehend them, or do they appear to be making up words? You can get someone to repeat a simple line, such as "Today is a sunny day." Did they correctly repeat the sentence? Did they utilize the correct terminology? Did it come across as normal? If there are changes in speech, it could be due to alterations in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. So, if we look right in the center of the brain, it may be a stroke impacting speech.

 

Then contact 911. If you or someone you're with gets any of those symptoms; even if they go away, it's critical to get to the hospital as soon as possible. As a result, for a stroke, dial 911. A stroke is a medical emergency.

 

Risk factors for stroke

We aim to lower our stroke risk, recognize stroke symptoms, and respond quickly if a stroke occurs. So, in the United States, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds, yet we know that 80% of strokes are preventable. As a result, we have risk variables such as our age and race. Those dangerous variables are beyond our control. However, numerous risk factors can be altered. By treating and controlling our medicine, we can lower our risk of stroke.

 

1. Age

After the age of 55, the chances of having a stroke virtually double every 10 years. Even though strokes appear to be more common in the elderly. Strokes affect many people under the age of 65. They might have a few more risk factors than others. However, we must remember that anyone, including children, can have a stroke. Being aware of the signs and symptoms will assist you in recognizing stroke symptoms in people of all ages.

 

2. Family Tree of Diseases

A stroke in the family can also increase your chances of having one. If one of your parents, grandparents, sisters, or brothers has had a stroke, especially if it happened before the age of 65, you may be at risk of getting one as well.

 

3. Race

Statistics demonstrate that African Americans had a substantially higher incidence of stroke and mortality from stroke, as well as some higher risk factors for stroke than Hispanics and Latinos.

 

4. Gender type

As a result, our gender can influence our stroke risk. Every year, women have more strokes than men, and strokes kill more women than men. Each year, roughly 55 000 more women than men have a stroke, and did you know that stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer? Pregnancy-related problems, a history of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, gestational diabetes, oral contraceptive use, especially when mixed with smoking, and subsequently post-menopausal hormone therapy can all be risk factors for increased stroke risk, and one in every five women will have a stroke. 

So, if you're in a group of five ladies, you'll have to look around and figure out who will be the leader. It's not me. Just joking. However, it is a very serious danger, and you should discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.

 

5. Previous Attacks or Strokes

Having had a previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, or even a heart attack can increase your risk of stroke. A person who has had a stroke has a much higher risk of having another stroke than someone who has never had a stroke, and transient ischemic attacks, also known as TIAs, are very strong predictors of stroke risk. 

A TIA is a much smaller temporary blockage of blood to the brain that causes the same symptoms as a stroke. However, they may be milder, and a transient ischemic stroke does not result in chronic brain damage. So that's the difference between a TIA and a stroke, and if you've had a heart attack before, you're more likely to get a stroke. Because plaque grows up and creates blockages in the blood arteries of the heart, much as plaque builds up and causes blockages in the blood vessels of the brain, a heart attack is frequently caused by plaque.

 
How to Reduce the Risk of Stroke

Now let's get to the exciting part. Determining which stroke risk variables we can influence. Things we can cure and improve to lower our chances of suffering a stroke

 

1. Blood Pressure Monitoring and Control

As a result, high blood pressure is the primary cause of strokes worldwide, not only in the United States. So, if we keep our blood pressure within healthy ranges, we may lessen the strain on our hearts and enhance blood flow in the arteries. It preserves the kidneys, which helps us live longer and healthier lives. 

According to the American Heart Association, normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 or less. So, what exactly does that imply? If your blood pressure is normal, we recommend that you maintain a healthy lifestyle and check your blood pressure once a year. 

If your blood pressure rises a little, the range is 120 to 129. However, the lowest value remains below 80. We advise you to live a healthy lifestyle. If you don't, make some lifestyle adjustments, such as a healthier diet and more exercise, and have your blood pressure monitored every three to six months. 

If you have high blood pressure, your top number should be between 130 and 139 and your bottom number should be between 80 and 89. 

If your blood pressure is very high, which is anything above 140 on the top number and 90 on the bottom number, you should see your doctor and they should do a health risk assessment on you. If your blood pressure is very high, which is anything above 140 on the top number and 90 on the bottom number, you should see your doctor. They should prescribe medications and have more frequent blood pressure monitoring. 

So, while you're having your blood pressure checked, keep this in mind. The first thing you should do is stop smoking. Don't drink a lot of caffeine, don't exercise, and just relax for a few minutes before checking your blood pressure. Make sure the cuff is in the appropriate spot and the right size during the blood pressure check. Sit still, don't move around, and don't talk during the time your blood pressure is being taken because this might cause readings to change. As a result, we recommend that you check your blood pressure a couple of times following your initial reading. so take a minute between them. So take your blood pressure once, wait one minute, and then take it again, averaging the two values. If one reading is really high and the other is significantly lower, you should check the third one just to be sure, and then consult your doctor. Write them down in a log and bring them with you to your doctor's appointment. 

This will give them a good sense of what your blood pressure is like when you're at home and doing your normal activities versus when you're nervous and they check your blood pressure, which may be a little higher. Keeping track of your blood pressure at home is beneficial.

 

2. Control Diabetes

Diabetes is the next risk factor that we can manage and control. As a result, having diabetes can significantly increase your chance of having a stroke. As a result, patients with diabetes frequently have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight problems. As a result, your risk of stroke increases even more. 

In the United States, an adult with diabetes is hospitalized for a stroke every two minutes. As a result, working with your doctor to properly manage your diabetes can lower your risk of having a stroke.

 

3. Controlling Cholesterol Levels in the Blood

High cholesterol is the next risk factor. As a result, the chance of clogged arteries and plaques forming inside our arteries, which can obstruct blood flow and cause a stroke or heart attack, increases. As a result, we must include nutrients in our diet that promote heart and brain health. 

Lean meats, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and low-saturated and trans-fat diets. As a result, fried and fatty foods enhance our blood cholesterol levels. High-salt or sodium diets raise blood pressure, as do very high-calorie diets; thus, a lot of sweets and other sugary foods can contribute to obesity. As a result, we wish to consume vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables that help to lower blood pressure, increase cognitive function, and improve blood vessel health.

 

4. Increase the physical activity

Taking part in sports. If you are not physically active, you must begin to move and become more active. Physical inactivity raises your chances of stroke, heart disease, being overweight, developing high blood pressure, increasing cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Therefore, getting some exercise every day will help you live longer and better. So take brisk walks, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and do whatever you can to increase your physical activity. 

The American Heart Association suggests that we get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise five days a week. Does this imply that you must go out and walk for 30 minutes at a time? No, if you break it down into smaller chunks. So, if you can go for a 10-minute stroll in the morning, that's great. Swimming is an excellent activity because it's low impact and doesn't generate joint stress. If you swim for 10 minutes in the afternoon and 10 minutes in the evening, you'll get 30 minutes of physical activity. So, before you begin any exercise, I urge that you consult with your doctor, especially if you haven't exercised in a long time.

 

5. Keep your weight (BMI) at a Healthy Level

As a result, to maintain a healthy weight, if we are overweight, we must take action to reduce our BMI to a healthy level. Because obesity and excess body weight are associated with higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Are you noticing a pattern here? Simply living a healthy lifestyle and doing healthy things can help us avoid strokes while also lowering our risk of heart disease and other health problems that make us unwell.

 

6. Prevent from Smoking 

Studies have proven that cigarette smoking, including vaping or smokeless tobacco, is a significant risk factor for stroke. Cigarettes include nicotine and carbon monoxide. However, nicotine, which is found in smokeless tobacco and vaping devices, destroys blood vessels and can lead to strokes and heart attacks. If you smoke, we encourage you to stop. If you need assistance quitting, there are many options available, and Hogue offers materials that can assist you with tobacco cessation or quitting smoking.

 

7. Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is an irregular heartbeat that causes the upper chambers of the heart to quiver instead of beating in an organized rhythmic manner. This increases the risk of having a stroke by five times because the fluttering of the upper chambers of the heart can cause blood to pool in those chambers, and when blood isn't moving, it can form a clot, and then the heart beats normally again. If you have AFib, you should know what your other stroke risks are, and you should work with your doctor to seek the correct treatment to help reduce your risk of having a stroke.

 

8. Carotid Artery Disease

Following that is carotid artery disease. The carotid arteries are two blood vessels that run up and down the neck, supplying blood to the brain. So, if the carotid artery is restricted by fatty deposits or plaque buildups in the arterial walls, a small blood clot might become caught in there and shut off blood supply to not only one portion of the brain but also to the neck. It will sever the blood supply to one-half of the brain. Because of their proximity to the brain, carotid artery blockages are more likely to result in a stroke than other arterial illnesses. If you have carotid artery disease or any other vascular condition, consult with your doctor to receive therapy to reduce your chance of having a stroke.

 

9. Drink Enough Water

Staying hydrated is another extremely simple technique to help prevent strokes. So make sure you have enough water every day. As a result, dehydration is associated with inflammation, arterial stiffness, blood pressure regulation, and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. So, one of the most effective ways to improve our health and well-being is to drink enough water throughout the day. 

So one of the things that happens as we get older is that our sense of thirst becomes less acute. As a result, as we get older, we may not even realize we're thirsty. So, if you're getting older and you're starting to feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water during the day is therefore beneficial and essential. So that you don't become dehydrated. However, you should not try to drink all of your water until the end of the day. Because you'll be up all night going to the bathroom and won't be able to get a full night's sleep.

If you drink plenty of water throughout the day and if you do consume alcohol, do so in moderation. People should limit their alcohol-related hazards by drinking in moderation, according to US dietary guidelines. That means women can have up to one serving of alcohol per day and men can have up to two servings per day, with a serving being one bottle of beer, one five-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. So, once again, use caution.

 

10. Sleep Well

Then, restorative sleep aids in our overall wellness. Your entire body, including your heart and brain, benefits from a good night's sleep. It boosts our mood, memory, and cognitive abilities. When we sleep at night, the cleanup crew runs through our brains and cleans up all the byproducts of our daytime brain function. 

As a result, if we don't get enough sleep or rest, our brain doesn't clean up as well at night. That is why getting enough sleep is crucial, especially if you have sleep-related breathing problems. So we call that sleep apnea when you snore a lot and then stop breathing, snort, and then start breathing again. 

This is a really high risk for stroke because it raises the blood pressure in the brain during those periods when you're not breathing well during sleep, even if your blood pressure throughout your body is normal. As a result, there is a danger of stroke, and we know that sleep apnea is bad for the heart. As a result, heart failure, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, resistant hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and stroke become more likely. 

 

So that means snoring to death, which sounds amusing but isn't. So if you know you have snoring and breathing issues, or if someone you're with says, "My gosh, you snore like a freight train," or "I had to hit you during your sleep to get you to start breathing again," you should contact a sleep specialist and get a sleep apnea study done.

 

So keep in mind that 80% of strokes can be avoided. Keep your stroke risks low with frequent exams and treatment for any medical issues you may have. So stroke risk scoring is something we want to undertake.

 

Stroke Risk Scorecard

If you want to look at Stroke Risk Scorecard, go to the left column and look at the red box. So you check those boxes and see what high-risk situations you have. Things in the yellow column have a moderate risk of stroke, whereas those in the green column have a low risk of stroke. So you can go through those boxes, check them off, and sum it up, and if you have high-risk factors for stroke, you should take that information to your doctor and discuss ways to maximize those risk factors for stroke prevention.

 

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack?

I briefly mentioned TIA, or transient ischemic attack. A TIA is a warning stroke that is frequently referred to as a small stroke. It's an early warning indication of a forthcoming stroke. As a result, more than a third of individuals who have a TIA will go on to suffer a complete stroke. As a result, the symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke. They take minutes to hours to resolve. 

However, if you feel you or someone you're with is having a TIA, get emergency medical assistance and dial 911, even if the symptoms go away. Because those symptoms can reappear at any time. So you might be thinking, "Wooh!" Thank God, that was the only thing that bothered me. That's when you should go to the emergency room. So that we can run a workup and figure out where those symptoms came from, whether it's a blood clot or a blockage that has to be treated. So that we can prevent you from having a complete stroke and becoming permanently disabled.

 

Every four minutes, someone in the United States dies of a stroke. The sooner a stroke victim gets to the hospital, the sooner they can receive life-saving care. So, if you're experiencing stroke symptoms, dial 911 as soon as possible.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post; I hope to see you again in another article.