Oct 30th - 1 Min Read
Stroke: The Risks And How To Prevent It
By: Ayat Abdulhameed- Around the world, there are 12.2 million new strokes per year one in every 3 seconds and one in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime. This number has significantly increased by 50% over the last 17 years. In 2019, 63% of strokes happened in people younger than 70 years old, stroke is no longer a disease of the elderly. Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, brain damage, and loss of function. It is most frequently caused by a clot in an artery supplying blood to the brain. It can also be caused by hemorrhage when a burst vessel causes blood to leak into the brain. Stroke can cause permanent damage, including partial paralysis and impairment in speech, comprehension, and memory loss. The part of the brain affected and the length of time the blood supply has been stopped affects the type and the severity of disability. One of the main clinical risk factors for stroke is high blood pressure due to atherosclerosis. There are many other risk factors, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, atrial fibrillation, raised blood lipid levels, obesity, genetic disposition, stress, and depression. Knowing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate emergency medical care can save lives and improve the outcome for survivors. The key signs of stroke are
- - Facial drooping
- -Arm weakness on one side
- -Speech difficulties - slurring or not making sense
- People may also experience changes in their vision and loss of balance/dizziness. If you suspect stroke in someone Act F.A.S.T. to identify stroke
- - 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?
- - S-Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
- - T-Time: If you see any of these signs, call emergency right away.
- Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps healthcare providers determine the best treatment for each person. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call emergency for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.
- Up to 90% of strokes could be prevented by addressing a small number of risk factors, including hypertension, diet, smoking, and exercise. Preventive action on stroke would also contribute to a massive scale reduction in stroke. Prevention strategies include:
- - Controlling high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy diet or medication in some cases.
- - Lowering the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.
- - Quitting tobacco use, up to one-quarter of all strokes are directly attributable to cigarette smoking.
- - Managing diabetes.
- - Maintaining a healthy weight.
- - Exercising Regularly, can lower blood pressure, increase the levels of good cholesterol, and improve the overall health of the blood vessels and heart.
- - Manage stress and depression, Almost one in six strokes are linked to mental well-being.