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STROKE

A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. It is a medical emergency, because blood carries oxygen, and brain cells begin to die within a few minutes without it. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

      Strokes can occur at any age, but stroke risk increases as you get older. While not every stroke can be prevented, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke:

Signs and symptoms of a stroke can vary between men and women and may include:

  • Sudden numbness, weakness, or inability to move the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
  • Confusion
  • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

People who experience a stroke have the best chance of survival, and may have less disability, if someone around them recognizes the signs and acts quickly by rushing them to the hospital.

Causes and Risk Factors of Stroke

There are two main types of stroke, with different causes:

  • Ischemic strokes are caused by blood clots.
  • Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain.

Another condition that’s similar to a stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It’s sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” TIAs happen when the blood supply to the brain is blocked for a short time. The damage to the brain cells isn’t permanent, but if you have had a TIA, you are at a much higher risk of having a stroke

How to prevent a stroke:

  • Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting now will lower your risk of stroke. You can reach out to your doctor to discuss a plan.
  • Limit alcohol use. Heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of stroke. If reducing your intake is difficult, reach out to your doctor for help.
  • Keep a moderate weight. Overweight and obesity increases the risk of stroke. To help manage your weight, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active more often than not. Both steps can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • Get regular checkups. Talk with your doctor about how often to get a checkup for blood pressure, cholesterol, and any conditions you may have. They can also support you in making these lifestyle changes and offer guidance.

We always advise against self medications, if you want to get more information and not sure you can make it to the hospital, we can schedule an online consultation with a Doctor/ Cardiologist by calling 08090160175.