Stroke – Facts That Can Help Save A Life

Stroke (sometimes called "brain attack") is the third leading cause of death and disability in older people although young people can also have strokes.

Prompt recognition of stroke symptoms and immediate medical attention can save your relative's life, improve his chances of recovery, and reduce stroke-related physical and mental disabilities.

CAUSES OF STROKES

Strokes are caused by a blood clot in an artery in the brain or bleeding from a burst blood vessel in the brain. Both conditions prevent oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain and cause brain cells to die. Damage to the brain from a stroke can be mild or severe depending on where in the brain it occurred and how quickly the stroke was recognized and treated.

SIGNS OF STROKE

If your family member has any of these symptoms call for emergency medical services (EMS) immediately.

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face or arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden dizziness.
• Sudden loss of vision, especially in one eye.
• Inability to speak, difficulty talking or understanding what other people are saying.
• Sudden severe headaches – "The worst headache I ever had."
• Sudden difficulty walking.

RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE

The more stroke risk factors a person has the greater are his or her chances of having a stroke.

They include:

• Being male
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Family history of stroke
• Being overweight

If your relative might be at risk for a stroke encourage him or her to work with a physician to improve his or her health.

STROKE PREVENTION

Help your family member to reduce his or her personal risk factors for stroke.

• Encourage him or her to discuss stroke with a doctor.
• Avoid high fat, high-cholesterol, and sugary foods.
• Control diabetes and blood pressure with medications or lifestyle changes.
• Stop smoking.
• Limit alcohol drinking
• Increase physical activity
• Help your relative lose weight if he or she is overweight.

Understanding what strokes are, their causes, and symptoms will help you recognize if an elderly family member may be having a brain attack. You can work together to develop a healthy lifestyle that minimizes the risk of stroke.