From Web MD
May 8, 2008 -- Do you think sudden chest pain is a symptom of a stroke? If you answered yes, you're not only wrong, you're not alone.
A telephone survey of more than 71,000 adults in 13 states and Washington, D.C., has revealed that shockingly few people know the warning signs of a stroke. The CDC analyzed data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and found that only 16.4% of persons surveyed correctly recognized all five stroke warning symptoms, knew to call 911, and could identify an incorrect symptom of stroke.
According to the CDC, the five warning symptoms of a stroke are:
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the arms, legs, or face, especially on one side.
• Sudden vision problem in one or both eyes.
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or difficulty walking.
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Promptly recognizing stroke warning symptoms and seeking immediate emergency care can mean the difference between life and death or disability. Patients whose stroke is caused by an interruption of the blood supply to the brain (blood clot) can be treated with clot-busting drugs, but such medicines should be given within three hours of symptom onset. Other type of strokes may require immediate surgery to prevent serious disability or death.
Symptoms
If you have symptoms of a stroke, seek emergency medical care. General symptoms of a stroke include sudden onset of:
• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, such as dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision.
• Confusion, trouble understanding.
• Slurred or garbled speech.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Severe headache.
Specific Symptoms vary depending on whether the stroke is caused by a clot or bleeding. The location of the blood clot or bleeding and the extent of brain damage can also affect symptoms.
• Symptoms of an ischemic stroke (caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel) usually occur in the side of the body opposite from the side of the brain where the clot occurred. For example, a stroke in the right side of the brain affects the left side of the body.
• Symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in the brain) can be similar to those of an ischemic stroke but may be distinguished by symptoms relating to higher pressure in the brain, including severe headache, nausea and vomiting, neck stiffness, dizziness, seizures, irritability, confusion, and possibly unconsciousness.
Symptoms of a stroke may progress over minutes, hours, or days, often in a stepwise fashion. For example, mild weakness may progress to an inability to move the arm and leg on one side of the body.
• If a stroke is caused by a large blood clot (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke), symptoms occur suddenly, within seconds.
• When an artery that is narrowed by atherosclerosis becomes blocked, stroke symptoms usually develop gradually over minutes to hours, or (in rare cases) days.
• If several smaller strokes occur over time, the person may have a more gradual change in walking, balance, thinking, or behavior (multi-infarct dementia).
It is not always easy for people to recognize symptoms of a small stroke. They may mistakenly think the symptoms can be attributed to aging, or the symptoms may be confused with those of other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Prevention – note all the prevention tips that deal with Diet & Exercise!
You can help prevent a stroke if you control risk factors and treat other medical conditions that can lead to a stroke.
And if you have already had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), you can prevent another stroke in the same way, by controlling risk factors and treating medical conditions that can lead to stroke.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a warning sign that a stroke may soon occur. Prompt medical attention for a TIA may help prevent a stroke.
Seek emergency medical help immediately if you have symptoms of a TIA, which are similar to those of a stroke. Symptoms include problems with vision, speech, behavior, and thought processes. A TIA may cause loss of consciousness, seizure, dizziness (vertigo), and weakness or numbness on one side of the body. Symptoms of a TIA, however, are temporary and usually disappear after 10 to 20 minutes, although they may last up to 24 hours.
Treating other medical conditions can help prevent a stroke.
• Hardened arteries. If you have been told that you have hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), check with your doctor about whether you should take an aspirin each day and/or a medicine to lower your cholesterol. Taking an aspirin daily can also reduce the risk of stroke in a person who has already had an ischemic stroke , a TIA, or carotid endarterectomy surgery.
• Blocked carotid artery. If your doctor hears a swishing sound-a bruit (say "broo-E")-when listening to blood flow through the large blood vessels in your neck (carotid arteries), ask whether you need further testing (usually carotid ultrasound). Aspirin or surgery to reopen a blocked carotid artery may be appropriate. For more information on this surgery, see:
Should I have carotid endarterectomy?
A relatively new procedure called carotid artery stenting is another option for some people at high risk for stroke. This procedure is much like coronary angioplasty, which is commonly used to open blocked arteries in the heart. During this procedure, a doctor inserts a metal tube called a stent inside your carotid artery to increase blood flow in areas blocked by plaque. The doctor may use a stent that is coated with medicine to help prevent future blockage.
Control your risk factors for stroke by:
• Having regular medical checkups.
• Controlling your high blood pressure by working with your doctor. (diet & exercise)
• If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. (diet & exercise)
• Controlling high cholesterol, heart disease (especially atrial fibrillation), diabetes, or disorders that affect your blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease. (diet & exercise)
• Taking cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins if you have high cholesterol or have had a heart attack, TIA, or stroke. (diet & exercise)
• Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. If you do smoke, quit. (For tips, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.) Daily cigarette smoking increases the risk of stroke by more than 2 times.
• Limiting alcohol. Low to moderate alcohol consumption may decrease the risk of ischemic stroke. Moderate drinking is 2 drinks a day for men, and 1 drink a day for women. Excessive use of alcohol (more than 2 drinks a day) can raise your risk of stroke.
• Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes, which are risk factors for TIA and stroke. (diet & exercise)
• Becoming more active. Try to do activities that raise your heart rate. Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most, preferably all, days of the week. A large study showed that physical activity lowers your risk of stroke, partly by reducing the two greatest risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure and heart disease. The more physically active you are, the lower your risk. Moderately active people had a 20% lower risk of stroke than inactive people. Highly active people had about a 30% reduction of risk. Exercise can also help raise HDL ("good") cholesterol levels in your body, which also lowers the risk of stroke. (diet & exercise)
Lower your risk for stroke by:
• Taking aspirin if you have had a heart attack.2 For more information, see:
Should I take daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack or a stroke?
• Taking anticoagulants, as prescribed by your doctor, if you have atrial fibrillation or have had a heart attack with other complications.
• Eating a nutritious, balanced diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt. Foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol can make hardening of the arteries worse. Eat more fruits and vegetables to increase your intake of potassium and vitamins B, C, E, and riboflavin. Add whole grains to your diet: one study showed whole grains reduced the risk of ischemic stroke in women. Eating fish one or more times a month may also reduce your risk of stroke. Limit the amount of salt you eat too. (diet & exercise)
• Avoiding illegal drugs (such as a stimulant, like cocaine). Cocaine can increase blood pressure and cause the heart to beat more rapidly, thereby increasing your risk of stroke.
• Avoiding birth control pills if you have other risk factors. If you smoke or have high cholesterol or a history of blood clots, taking birth control pills increases your risk of having a stroke.
• Avoiding hormone replacement therapy. In women who have gone through menopause, hormone replacement therapy has been shown to slightly increase the risk of stroke.
• Avoid getting sick from the flu. Get a flu shot every year.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise TM
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Dan Cantor Fitness disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
