When Hollywood icon Bruce Willis went public in early April about his battle with aphasia, he elevated awareness for his disorder as well as increased conversations about stroke, one of the main causes of aphasia. As we approach May and National Stroke Awareness Month, we have an excellent opportunity to continue these discussions and the education that can help more people prevent strokes from happening—or from causing debilitating physical damage or death if they do occur.
Having basic knowledge about strokes and acting on what you know can make a significant impact on preventing you or a loved one from having a stroke or sustaining life-altering effects from a stroke. Some people refer to a stroke as a “brain attack.” A stroke occurs when the flow of blood in the brain is disrupted by a clot (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts, causing excessive blood accumulation around the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Because it interrupts brain function, a stroke can cause temporary or permanent issues, ranging from inability to speak, memory loss and aphasia to pain, paralysis and more.
Stroke Prevention
Preventing a stroke and knowing your stroke risk factors go hand in hand. Risk factors out of your control include:
- Race/ethnicity—African Americans and Latinos have a higher stroke risk, for example.
- Age—The chance of stroke doubles every 10 years after age 55.
- Sex—Men have a higher risk of stroke than women; however, women are more likely to die of a stroke.
- Personal or family history of heart disease.
- Personal or family history of stroke.
- Having had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Also called a “mini-stroke,” this condition interrupts blood flow usually for five minutes or less.
There are risk factors of stroke that you can control by adjusting your lifestyle. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats and/or sodium, drinking too much alcohol
Some ways you can help lessen these risk factors include eating a “heart-healthy” diet; engaging in a regular exercise routine; smoking cessation; limiting alcohol intake; having regular wellness visits with your healthcare provider; and taking medications as prescribed. Lastly, while the above information is important for the general public, the very best strategy is one that is personalized for you. So talk to your primary care provider or specialist about your individual stroke risk and changes you can make to help lower that risk.
Lowering Risk of Stroke Damage
Unfortunately, not all strokes can be prevented. However, a person can do a great deal to help a stroke victim experience better outcomes—that is, survival and, possibly, less severe physical and mental impact. Doing so comes down to three words: Every second counts. The faster you act to get yourself or a person experiencing a stroke professional help, the better their chance of survival and partial or complete recovery. The sooner medical teams can return regular blood flow to the brain, the sooner things can begin functioning as they should throughout the body—from head to toe, organs to blood vessels.
So, how do you know if a person is having a stroke or “mini-stroke”? Remember BEFAST and the things to look out for are shown in the graphic below. If you think you or someone in your presence is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately or go straight to your nearest emergency department. But remember, if you are not near an emergency department, call 9-1-1, because every second counts. EMTs can do a great deal to help a stroke victim when they arrive and during transport to the hospital. Certainly, the thought of having a stroke can be frightening. But your knowledge can be empowering! Preventing a stroke or stroke damage all comes down to what you know, how you act on that knowledge and how quickly you get yourself or a loved one help.
Garnet Health is hosting a FREE one-hour virtual self-care forum on stroke prevention, signs and symptoms on May 18, 2022, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
To register, sign up for Self-Care Forum: Act FAST
