Symptoms of a Stroke
Everyone should be aware of the symptoms of a stroke as strokes are the third leading cause of death. Strokes kill over 150,000 people every year. Since the faster treatment is received the better the chances of survival and a full recovery, knowing the symptoms of a stroke could mean the difference between life and death for you or someone you love.
A stroke is a form of cardiovascular disease affecting the arteries leading into and throughout the brain. When one of these blood vessels either bursts or gets blocked by a blood clot, that part of the brain cannot get the oxygen it needs. Without oxygen, parts of the brain quickly begin to die. Since the brain is basically the body’s control center, if parts of it are damaged then the effects will be seen in other parts of the body. If a major stroke occurs and the brain is deprived of oxygen for very long, the stroke can be fatal.
There are several common warning symptoms of a stroke. These stroke symptoms could be experienced singly or a person could experience several warning signs at the same time. The key element with stroke symptoms is that they appear or begin suddenly. You must not ever ignore these signs even if they appear to go away. Often people discount some of the stroke symptoms as caused by something else or even old age but the only way to know for sure is to be seen by a doctor right away.
Stroke victims often experience a sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause. With or without the headache, they may also have vision problems in one or both eyes or trouble walking. Symptoms of a stroke can include dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. One stroke symptom that most people will recognize is the sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg - especially affecting only one side of the body. A person experiencing a stroke can also often experience confusion and may have trouble speaking or understanding.
You may have heard of someone having a minor stroke. Known as a TIA (transient ischemic attack), a stroke is referred to as minor when it does not leave any lasting effect. The same symptoms of a stroke can occur with a TIA but they appear to go away fairly quickly: since it does not last long, people will often not take TIAs as seriously as they should. Studies have shown that people suffering from a minor stroke are at a 44% higher risk of a heart attack or major stroke within ten years. Those who have a minor stroke are also at increased risk of a major stroke for about a week after the TIA.