Stroke Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 700,000 to 750,000 new or recurrent strokes occur each year in the United States.

What is A Stroke?

A stroke, or Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is caused when an artery of the brain becomes occluded or ruptures. Either blood flow is interrupted or, as in the case of a rupture, intracranial bleeding occurs.

What Causes Stroke?

A stroke can be caused by vascular disease of the arteries in the brain. There may be narrowing of the arteries that feed the brain, or there can be a weak thin spot that can rupture and cause bleeding.

Types of Stroke:

1. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain. That area of the brain becomes deprived of oxygen and begins to die. Hemorrhagic stroke is responsible for about 20% of strokes. The most common signs of a hemorrhagic stroke are:

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause


• Partial or total loss of consciousness


• Vomiting or severe nausea


• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

2. Transient Ischemic Attacks: Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) are often called mini-strokes. The symptoms are the same as for a major stroke, but in a TIA, a blood clot is blocking blood flow. Symptoms usually disappear after a short period of time.

TIAs generally don't cause severe brain damage, but they are a warning sign of an impending stroke. Even if symptoms disappear quickly, it is imperative to seek medical attention right away to prevent a future major stroke.

Learning the signs of stroke and calling 911 for help are the best ways to prevent disability and death from stroke.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke:

Symptoms may appear without warning and often are not painful, but still need to be taken seriously. If you think someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, or you are experiencing them call 9-1-1 immediately.

Common Symptoms Of Stroke can be remembered by the acronym FAST:

Other less common symptoms of the most common type of stroke are:

1. sudden visual difficulty,


2. Dizziness


3. Generalized weakness.

If you or someone you are with have any one of these symptoms, it's important to act FAST and call 911 immediately

Prevention Is accomplished by knowing your risk factors for the following conditions:

• High Blood Pressure or Hypertension (leading cause of stroke)


• Treatment for Carotid or Coronary Artery Disease


• Atrial Fibrilation (Irregular Heart Beat)


• Diabetes


• Tobacco Use - stop smoking


• Prior Transient Ischemic Accident (TIA) or Stroke


• Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels


• Excessive Alcohol use


• Genetics

Treatment:

Be aware of the signs of stroke. Getting to a hospital ASAP is key to reducing or preventing death or disability.Calling 911 is the best way to assure you get the individualized care you will need.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) For ischemic strokes, a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator, or t-PA, dissolves clots that are blocking the artery. t-PA is only appropriate for patients who are diagnosed as having an ischemic stroke and then only within three hours of the start of symptom occurrence. The sooner t-PA is given, the better the chances are for a full recovery.

If you or anyone you know have risk factors for stroke, or signs and symptoms appear, call 911 right away to get emergency medical help.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT

• F = Face: Is one side of the face drooping down?


• A = Arm: Can the person raise both arms, or is one arm weak?


• S = Speech: Is speech slurred or confusing?


• T = Time: Time is critical!! Call 9-1-1 immediately!