What is a Stroke?
Most people have heard of a stroke, but do you know what it is and how to recognize it? The brain, heart, and lungs are three vital organs your body can’t function without. The brain controls your body’s systems, the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood, and the lungs supply that oxygen. A stroke happens when the brain doesn’t receive the blood it needs..
When a stroke occurs, a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, preventing an area from receiving proper blood flow. This causes brain cells to die. We categorize strokes as ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Types of Stroke: Ischemic vs. Hemorrhagic
Ischemic strokes mean that there is an obstruction within the brain’s vessels that is not allowing the blood to flow adequately. This obstruction could be caused by a narrowing of the vessels or even a blood clot blocking the blood flow.
With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel has ruptured and started to leak blood into the brain. This can be caused by a traumatic incident, such as hitting the head, or a spontaneous bleed, such as an aneurysm rupturing, too much pressure on the vessels from uncontrolled high blood pressure, or even illicit drug usage.
What Is a TIA?
An early warning sign of a potential impending stroke is a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, or sometimes referred to as a mini-stroke. During a TIA, there is a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing sudden and temporary neurological deficits, similar to those you would experience in a stroke. These deficits can last from a few minutes up to 24 hours, but should still be treated as a medical emergency and require immediate attention.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
It’s imperative to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke because a stroke is a medical emergency. The sooner you can get to the hospital and seek medical treatment, the better your chance of recovery and treatment. The acronym to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke is
BE FAST
Balance – Sudden loss of balance or coordination
Eyes – Sudden changes in vision
Face – Facial drooping on one side
Arms – Arm weakness or numbness
Speech – Slurred or garbled speech
Time – Time to call 911 immediately
Why Immediate Action Matters
As we say in the medical field, time is tissue. The faster you can get treatment, the better the outcomes will be! If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it is crucial to call 9-1-1 to seek immediate medical attention.