May is American Stroke Awareness Month and the perfect time to get to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. One in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime. While the majority of people know it’s important to call 911 if they are having a stroke; most people do not know all the warning signs and symptoms. Knowing when you or someone else is having a stroke – and getting treatment at the closest facility – can help save lives.
Signs and symptoms
BE FAST is a simple phrase to remember and will help quickly identify the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke.
- Balance – Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Eyes – Sudden change in vision
- Face – Facial drooping or weakness on one side, uneven smile
- Arm – Sudden arm or leg weakness or numbness, typically on one side of the body
- Speech – Sudden slurred speech, trouble speaking or trouble understanding speech
- Time to call 911 if the person shows any of the symptoms outlined above. Even if the symptoms improve or resolve, it is still important to call 911 to get to a hospital immediately. Time is brain. The faster a stroke is diagnosed and treated, the greater likelihood of a positive outcome.
Calling 911 immediately allows emergency responders to notify the hospital of your arrival and activate the stroke response team so they can be waiting for you. This saves valuable minutes which can minimize the long-term effects of stroke and even prevent death. Thanks to advancements in medicine and artificial intelligence imaging technology, stroke treatments and survival rates have improved tremendously over the past decade. Remember, B.E. F.A.S.T. and don’t delay care.
Preventing a stroke
A healthy heart can reduce your risk of a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of Americans live with one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Heart disease and stroke can result in serious illness, disability, a decreased quality of life and even death.
The American Heart Association says knowing your risk factors is the first step in preventing a stroke. Ascension Wisconsin clinicians monitor their patients’ health for conditions that may increase stroke risk and help them work to manage their risk if they have:
- High blood pressure: A leading risk factor for stroke and a leading cause of stroke. Know your blood pressure and have it regularly checked every year. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.
- Diabetes: By impacting your body’s ability to make or use insulin correctly, diabetes can cause glucose (sugar) to build up in your blood. High glucose levels can damage the body’s blood vessels, more than doubling your risk of stroke.
- High cholesterol: High cholesterol increases the risk of blocked arteries. If an artery leading to the brain becomes blocked, it can result in a stroke.
- Atherosclerosis of arteries supplying blood to the brain: A stroke can occur when a carotid artery or other arteries in the brain become damaged or blocked by a fatty build-up of plaque inside the artery wall, limiting or stopping blood flow.
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs): Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke. TIAs produce stroke-like symptoms, but most have no lasting effects. Recent studies confirm that most TIAs are actually a stroke.
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) or other heart disease: In AFib, the heart’s upper chambers quiver rather than beat in an organized, rhythmic way. This can cause the blood to pool and clot, increasing the risk of stroke. AFib increases the risk of a stroke by five times.
- Certain blood disorders: A high red blood cell count makes clots more likely, raising the risk of stroke. Sickle cell anemia increases stroke risk because the “sickled” cells stick to blood vessel walls and may block arteries.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep-disordered breathing contributes to the risk of stroke. Sleep apnea increases your risk of having a stroke. Likewise, sleep apnea is more prevalent after a stroke.
Additional risk factors include smoking or vaping, excessive alcohol intake, illegal drug use, physical inactivity and obesity.
Routine checkups are an important way to maintain your overall health at every stage of life, but especially if you are 50 or older and have not seen the doctor in more than two years. Primary care providers will check your blood pressure and cholesterol, and other healthcare screenings to help you maintain a healthy heart and lifestyle.
Advanced stroke care with Ascension Wisconsin
When seconds count, doctors at Ascension Wisconsin stroke centers work quickly to understand the cause of your symptoms and deliver the care you need. Ascension All Saints Hospital is a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center, in addition to offering patient-centered care at its inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation stroke clinics on campus.
Pramit Bhasin, MD is a neurologist with Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin. He sees patients at Ascension All Saints Hospital. For more information on Dr. Bhasin and his practice, visit Healthcare.ascension.org or call 262-687-8322.
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