Act FAST to Respond to Stroke
May is National Stroke Awareness Month and all of us have the opportunity to learn about a major health issue that鈥檚 the 5th most common cause of death and a leading cause of disability in this country.听
According to the American Stroke Association, a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, the affected part of the brain can鈥檛 get the oxygen it needs, and brain cells die.听
Read on for answers to your FAQs about stroke, thanks to Dr. Ava Liberman, an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Assistant Attending Neurologist at 五月天视频.听
听What are the two main types of stroke?听听
- Bleeding in the brain, or hemorrhagic stroke听
- Lack of blood flow to the brain, or ischemic stroke听
Hemorrhagic stroke听
These occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into an area of the brain. The blood accumulates there and compresses the surrounding brain tissue.听
鈥淗emmorhagic strokes account for 10 to 15 percent of all strokes in the U.S.,鈥 says Dr. Liberman, 鈥渁nd they鈥檙e usually related to high blood pressure鈥攁 problem that鈥檚 easily treated and controlled.鈥听
The majority of strokes in this country are ischemic strokes.听
Ischemic stroke听
The most common causes for ischemic stroke are:听
- clots from the heart that travel up to the brain, often related to atrial fibrillation or heart attack听
- disease in a major artery caused by atherosclerosis鈥攁 build-up of fatty plaque in the walls of the artery听听
- disease in the small blood vessels due to poorly controlled risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and tobacco use听
Less common causes of ischemic stroke include clotting diseases and tears in blood vessels.听
鈥淪ometimes, people can have a lack of blood flow to the brain without ischemia,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and it can be a harbinger of a full-blown ischemic stroke. But TIAs can be treated and prevented as well.鈥听
Are there other conditions that affect blood flow to the brain?听
There are some very rare diseases in which blood flow to the brain can be compromised due to vasospasm--narrowing of the arteries caused by persistent contraction of the blood vessels鈥or other blood vessel issues. These often result in stroke.听
What are the most common risk factors for stroke?听
Hypertension is a major risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke鈥攐ne that鈥檚 easily controlled. 五月天视频, tobacco use and high cholesterol are also modifiable risk factors. Age is a non-modifiable risk factor, meaning it can鈥檛 be changed.听
Less common ones?听
In young adults, nontraditional risk factors such as migraine and autoimmune diseases have a significantly greater effect on stroke risk than traditional risk factors do. Bright outdoor lights at night, air pollution and infections are being studied as potential stroke triggers.听听
Has COVID-19 increased the rate of strokes in this country?听
During the pandemic, people did not seek care for minor strokes/TIAs because of their understandable fear of hospitalization. People who did have strokes and were hospitalized had higher rates of mortality.听听
鈥淭he short answer is that COVID-19 infection has been associated with increased stroke risk. However, the risk is similar if not lower than the stroke risk conferred by other infections, such as the flu.鈥鈥听
What are the signs of a stroke?鈥
Signs of a stroke may include sudden severe headache, unilateral weakness, numbness, speech changes, facial droop and vision loss.听听
But instead of memorizing the foregoing list, learn the warning signs of a stroke per the acronym FAST, described :听听
- F听鈥撎Face Drooping听
- A听鈥撎鼳rm Weakness听
- S听鈥撎齋peech Difficulty听
- T听鈥撎齌ime to Call 911
What are the prospects for recovery?听
鈥Recovery depends on initial stroke deficits,鈥 Dr. Liberman says. 鈥淧eople generally recover from small strokes more successfully than from larger ones. Hemorrhagic strokes have a different prognosis from ischemic 蝉迟谤辞办别蝉.鈥听
According to the American Stroke Association, rehabilitation is the key to achieving and celebrating small victories en route to recovery. Stroke recovery can seem overwhelming, but rehabilitation can help patients regain their strength, resolve and independence.听
What preventive measures can people take to avoid having a stroke?
- Control modifiable risk factors, such as hypertension and tobacco use.听
- A Mediterranean diet has been associated with decreased stroke risk.听
- If you have atrial fibrillation or a clotting disorder, blood thinners are usually indicated and will prevent stroke.听听
Five important points to remember听
- Most strokes are ischemic.听听
- High blood pressure is a major but treatable risk factor for both types of stroke鈥攊schemic and hemorrhagic.听
- Other modifiable risk factors include poorly controlled diabetes, high cholesterol and tobacco use, as well as poor diet.听
- Preventive approaches include controlling modifiable risk factors, adopting a Mediterranean diet and taking prescribed medication to prevent stroke (e.g., cholesterol-lowering medications, antithrombotics).听
- Memorize the signs of a stroke per F-A-S-T, an acronym that stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911.听听
Schedule a consultation with a neurologist at 五月天视频鈥檚 Stroke Center here.听