A stroke or "brain attack" occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.
When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.
For example, someone who has a small stroke may experience only minor problems such as weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be paralyzed on one side or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.
Stroke: Act F.A.S.T
Stroke is a Medical Emergency. It occurs when the blood supply to part of brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving the brain tissue of oxygen and food.
Stroke is also called "Brain Attack". Earlier, it was considered to be the disease of the elderly, but increased incidence is observed in the middle age group due to poor lifestyle habits.
Time is the most critical element in case of Stroke. Early action can minimize the brain damage and can reduce the risk of potential complications.
However, the best part is that the condition can be prevented as well as treated.
Risk factors of Stroke:
- Increased blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical Inactivity
- Heart ailments
- Family History of Stroke
The prevention of the risk factors of Stroke can make a remarkable difference and highly reduce its risk.
Warning signs of Stroke
Learn the warning signs of Stroke and call for ambulance FAST. You can save the patient's life as well.
Use F.A.S.T to remember the warning signs of Stroke:
F- Face Ask the person to smile.
Does one side of the face droop?
A- Arms Ask the person to raise both the 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 observe any of the above signs, call for an ambulance FAST.