Difference between revisions of "Know if You Are Having a Stroke"
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| − | Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and can cause life-long disabilities and complications.<ref>http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm</ref> It is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. Learn to recognize the signs of a stroke. Getting help immediately can ensure proper treatment and lessen your chance of disability. | + | Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and can cause life-long disabilities and complications.<ref name="rf1">http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm</ref> It is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. Learn to recognize the signs of a stroke. Getting help immediately can ensure proper treatment and lessen your chance of disability. |
[[Category:Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure]] | [[Category:Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure]] | ||
[[Category:First Aid and Emergencies]] | [[Category:First Aid and Emergencies]] | ||
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Looking for Signs of a Stroke=== | ===Looking for Signs of a Stroke=== | ||
| − | #Watch for signs that indicate a stroke. There are several tell-tale signs that someone is suffering from a stroke. These signs may include a sudden onset of::<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/home/ovc-20117264 </ref><ref>http://stroke.nih.gov/</ref><ref>https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/symptoms_of_heart_disease_in_women/symptoms-of-a-stroke/</ref> | + | #Watch for signs that indicate a stroke. There are several tell-tale signs that someone is suffering from a stroke. These signs may include a sudden onset of::<ref name="rf2">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/home/ovc-20117264 </ref><ref name="rf3">http://stroke.nih.gov/</ref><ref name="rf4">https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/symptoms_of_heart_disease_in_women/symptoms-of-a-stroke/</ref> |
#*Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. One side of the face may drop when the person tries to smile. | #*Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. One side of the face may drop when the person tries to smile. | ||
#*Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, slurring words. | #*Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, slurring words. | ||
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#*Severe headache, usually with no known cause and possibly with vomiting | #*Severe headache, usually with no known cause and possibly with vomiting | ||
#*Trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination and dizziness | #*Trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination and dizziness | ||
| − | #Keep an eye out for female-specific symptoms. In addition to the typical symptoms of stroke, women may also experience unique symptoms. These can include:<ref>http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-stroke/women-and-stroke</ref> | + | #Keep an eye out for female-specific symptoms. In addition to the typical symptoms of stroke, women may also experience unique symptoms. These can include:<ref name="rf5">http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-stroke/women-and-stroke</ref> |
#*Weakness | #*Weakness | ||
#*Shortness of breath | #*Shortness of breath | ||
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#*Hiccups | #*Hiccups | ||
#*Hallucinations | #*Hallucinations | ||
| − | #Test for signs of a stroke using “FAST.” FAST is an abbreviation that is an easy way to remember and test for signs of a stroke.<ref>http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/recognizing-stroke/act-fast </ref> | + | #Test for signs of a stroke using “FAST.” FAST is an abbreviation that is an easy way to remember and test for signs of a stroke.<ref name="rf6">http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/recognizing-stroke/act-fast </ref> |
#*F- FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? | #*F- FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? | ||
#*A- ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? | #*A- ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? | ||
#*S- SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his speech slurred or strange? | #*S- SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his speech slurred or strange? | ||
#*T- TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. | #*T- TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. | ||
| − | #Get immediate medical help. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately. Every minute counts in a stroke. For every minute untreated, one can lose 1.9 million neurons, which reduces chances for successful recovery and increases chances of complications or death.<ref>http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/recognizing-stroke/signs-and-symptoms-stroke</ref> | + | #Get immediate medical help. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately. Every minute counts in a stroke. For every minute untreated, one can lose 1.9 million neurons, which reduces chances for successful recovery and increases chances of complications or death.<ref name="rf7">http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/recognizing-stroke/signs-and-symptoms-stroke</ref> |
#*In addition, there is a small treatment window for ischemic strokes, so it is important t get to the hospital as soon as possible. | #*In addition, there is a small treatment window for ischemic strokes, so it is important t get to the hospital as soon as possible. | ||
| − | #*Some hospitals have stroke care facilities that are especially well-equipped to treat strokes. If you are at risk of having a stroke, then it might be beneficial to find out where these centers are located.<ref | + | #*Some hospitals have stroke care facilities that are especially well-equipped to treat strokes. If you are at risk of having a stroke, then it might be beneficial to find out where these centers are located.<ref name="rf7" /> |
===Knowing Your Risk Factors=== | ===Knowing Your Risk Factors=== | ||
| − | #Assess your health conditions. Strokes can happen to anyone, however some people are more likely to get them. Talk to your doctor about your increased risk for stroke due to these health conditions:<ref>http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/preventing-stroke/lifestyle-risk-factors</ref> | + | #Assess your health conditions. Strokes can happen to anyone, however some people are more likely to get them. Talk to your doctor about your increased risk for stroke due to these health conditions:<ref name="rf8">http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/preventing-stroke/lifestyle-risk-factors</ref> |
#*Diabetes | #*Diabetes | ||
#*Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation (a-fib) or stenosis | #*Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation (a-fib) or stenosis | ||
#*Prior stroke or TIA | #*Prior stroke or TIA | ||
| − | #Take stock of your lifestyle habits. If you have a lifestyle that does not prioritize exercise and healthy eating, you may have an increased risk of stroke. Some of the lifestyle habits that might increase your risk include:<ref | + | #Take stock of your lifestyle habits. If you have a lifestyle that does not prioritize exercise and healthy eating, you may have an increased risk of stroke. Some of the lifestyle habits that might increase your risk include:<ref name="rf8" /> |
#*Being overweight or obesity | #*Being overweight or obesity | ||
#*Physical inactivity | #*Physical inactivity | ||
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#*Women have a slightly higher risk | #*Women have a slightly higher risk | ||
#*Your family history of stroke | #*Your family history of stroke | ||
| − | #Determine if you have other risk factors because you’re a woman. There are other factors that can impact a woman’s risk of stroke. These include:<ref> http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-stroke/women-and-stroke</ref> | + | #Determine if you have other risk factors because you’re a woman. There are other factors that can impact a woman’s risk of stroke. These include:<ref name="rf9"> http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-stroke/women-and-stroke</ref> |
#*Birth control pills: Oral contraceptives can increase stroke risk, especially when other risk factors are present such as smoking or having high blood pressure. | #*Birth control pills: Oral contraceptives can increase stroke risk, especially when other risk factors are present such as smoking or having high blood pressure. | ||
#*Being pregnant: This increases blood pressure and stress on the heart. | #*Being pregnant: This increases blood pressure and stress on the heart. | ||
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===Understanding What Strokes Are=== | ===Understanding What Strokes Are=== | ||
| − | #Learn how a stroke works. A stroke happens when the blood supply to your brain, along with oxygen and nutrients, is blocked or reduced. This can cause your brain cells to start dying almost immediately.<ref | + | #Learn how a stroke works. A stroke happens when the blood supply to your brain, along with oxygen and nutrients, is blocked or reduced. This can cause your brain cells to start dying almost immediately.<ref name="rf2" /> Prolonged deprivation of blood supply can cause extensive brain death and therefore long-term disability. |
| − | #Learn about two kinds of strokes. Most strokes fall into one of two categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic (iss-KEE-mick) stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks blood supply. Most (about 80%) of strokes are ischemic.<ref>http://stroke.nih.gov/ </ref> A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a rupture of a weakened blood vessel in the brain. This causes blood to leak out in the brain. | + | #Learn about two kinds of strokes. Most strokes fall into one of two categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic (iss-KEE-mick) stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks blood supply. Most (about 80%) of strokes are ischemic.<ref name="rf10">http://stroke.nih.gov/ </ref> A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a rupture of a weakened blood vessel in the brain. This causes blood to leak out in the brain. |
| − | #Learn about transient ischemic attacks. These types of strokes, also known as TIAs, are mini-strokes. This stroke is caused by a “temporary” blockage of the blood supply to the brain. For example, a small moving clot can block a vessel temporarily. Although the symptoms are the same as for a more severe stroke, they last for a shorter period of time, usually less than five minutes.<ref | + | #Learn about transient ischemic attacks. These types of strokes, also known as TIAs, are mini-strokes. This stroke is caused by a “temporary” blockage of the blood supply to the brain. For example, a small moving clot can block a vessel temporarily. Although the symptoms are the same as for a more severe stroke, they last for a shorter period of time, usually less than five minutes.<ref name="rf2" /> The symptoms appear and disappear within 24 hours.<ref name="rf11">http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/preventing-stroke/lifestyle-risk-factors </ref> |
#*However, you cannot tell whether you experienced a TIA or stroke only by timing and symptoms. | #*However, you cannot tell whether you experienced a TIA or stroke only by timing and symptoms. | ||
#*It is crucial to get emergency care regardless, since having a TIA is an indication of a future probability of a stroke. | #*It is crucial to get emergency care regardless, since having a TIA is an indication of a future probability of a stroke. | ||
