Reducing The Devastating Effects Of A Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particles. Strokes affect people in different ways, depending on the type of stroke, the area of the brain affected, and the extent of injury to the brain. Brain injuries from stroke can affect the senses, motor activity, speech, and the ability to understand speech, behavioral patterns, thought patterns, memory, and emotions.

Stroke often causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, diminished sight in one or both eyes, and loss of awareness of the weaker side. Other effects include problems chewing and swallowing, touching, moving, and thinking. A stroke survivor may cry easily, often for no apparent reason. Depression is common because people who have experienced stroke may feel less than “whole.”

The best way to survive and reduce the severity of a stroke — and to reduce the long-term disability strokes cause — is to treat every warning sign as an emergency and get treatment immediately. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association urges everyone to know that “Time Lost is Brain Lost! Stroke is a Medical Emergency! Know the Warning Signs and Don't Delay. Call 9-1-1 Immediately!”

Warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Risk factors for stroke that can be controlled include high blood pressure, smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes. Uncontrollable risk factors include age, race/ethnicity, family history, prior stroke or TIA (ministroke).

Stroke is not just a “man’s disease.” Stroke is the third-leading cause of death for American women and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Each year, more women die from strokes than men. Earlier this year, the American Stroke Association launched a new national initiative called Go Red For Women, designed to bolster women’s awareness about their cardiovascular disease risk and to serve as a call-to-action for women to take charge of their cardiovascular health. Women need to about know their stroke risk, know their numbers, know the latest guidelines for treatment of stroke, and know the warning signs of stroke.

The goal of the American Stroke Association is to reduce disability and death from stroke through research, education, and advocacy. To learn more about stroke and life after stroke, call the American Stroke Association at 888-4-STROKE or visit its website at StrokeAssociation.org.