Warning Signs of a Stroke: Know Them

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

Many people, particularly the elderly, do not know the warning signs of a stroke, a new study published in BMC Geriatrics found. Researchers interviewed 2,033 elderly men and women and discovered that less than half knew the signs of stroke [1]. Stroke care and rapid medical treatment is critical, so this study highlights the extreme importance of educating the elderly population as to what strokes are, the signs of a stroke, and ways to prevent one from happening.

What is a stroke?

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in America today. A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.

What are the symptoms?

Take note. And remember, not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don’t ignore the signs, even if they temporarily go away.

- 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
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Common risk factors for stroke:

- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Heavy alcohol use
- Diabetes

If you’re not sure if someone you know is experiencing a stroke, follow the ACT F.A.S.T. test [2].

- FACE : Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?
- ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred, and can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
- TIME: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 9-1-1 or get to the hospital fast.

Every minute counts when treating a stroke. The longer it goes untreated, the more brain damage it can do. Knowing the signs are key to prevention and treatment. So make sure you know them in case you or someone you know experiences a stroke.

References

1. Elders lack knowledge of stroke signs, risk factors. Reuters.com. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE57G4A620090817 Accessed on the web August 18, 2009.

2. Stroke Symptoms. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SYMP Accessed on the web August 18, 2009.