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Stroke Awareness: Facts and Tips

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May is National Stroke Awareness Month

An interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain causes necrosis or death of brain cells. Raising awareness of symptoms, prevention and treatment through education can reduce the incidence of stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States. Photo: Getty Images

Warning Signs

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, especially on one side of the body, is a warning sign of a stroke. Additional symptoms include sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or trouble understanding. Someone who is having a stroke suddenly has difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, sudden onset of a headache with no known cause, and a sudden loss of balance and coordination, trouble walking and dizziness. Photo: Getty Images

Act Quickly

Note the time when the first symptoms appear. Immediately call 9-1-1 for ambulance service with advanced life support. According to the American Heart Association, “If given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator or tPA may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.” Photo: Getty Images

TIA vs CVA

A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is a serious warning sign of an impending stroke. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as stroke symptoms but last less than 24 hours before disappearing and generally do not cause permanent damage. A TIA is the result of temporary blockage of blood supply to the brain. The National Stroke Association warns that up to 40 percent of all individuals who have a TIA will suffer a stroke and nearly half of all strokes occur within 2 days after a TIA. A cerebrovascular accident, or CVA, is a synonymous term for a stroke. A CVA is a medical emergency that demands immediate medical attention. Other nervous system disorders that can mimic a stroke include a brain tumor, a subdural hematoma, a brain abscess or viral encephalitis, which is an infection of the brain. Photo: Getty Images

Prevention

Living a healthy lifestyle is one way to prevent a stroke. Stick to a diet that is low in saturated fats but rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables and sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Limit your consumption of alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day and salt to less than one teaspoon daily, even less if you are 51 years old or older. Too much of both can raise your blood pressure. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and do not smoke. Photo: Getty Images

Lower Your Risk

Have your blood pressure checked yearly. Untreated hypertension is a major stroke risk factor. If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, follow the prescribed treatment. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that can increase your stroke risk by 500%. Have your cholesterol level check yearly. A cholesterol level over 200 is high and high cholesterol can clog arteries and cause a stroke. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, keep your glucose level under control. The American Diabetes Association points out that 2 of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. Circulation problems, such as atherosclerosis, sickle cell anemia and severe anemia, if untreated, can cause a stroke. Photo: Getty Images

Diagnostic Testing

Upon arriving to the emergency room, a physical examination is done to confirm which parts of the body have stopped functioning normally. A CT scan is often performed to determine the cause of the suspected stroke and to look for bleeding and masses within the brain. An MRI, which gives much more detailed information than a CT scan, is performed when possible. A carotid doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test used to look for narrowing and decreased blood flow in the carotid arteries which supply the brain. Other diagnostic tests include a CT scan with angiography or a conventional angiography which provide images of the blood vessels. Blood tests to check kidney and liver functions, electrolyte imbalances and clotting function are performed along with an electrocardiogram. Photo: Getty Images

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