Stroke awareness
12 Aug 2013
A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked or bursts. This blood flow is required to oxygenate the brain and when cut off, even for a short period of time, it causes the cells to die.
If the blood supply can be returned within minutes of the stroke occurring there is a possibility that some of these cells will survive and brain damage will be minimal. For this reason anyone showing suspected signs of a stroke needs immediate medical attention.
Types of stroke
There are two types of stroke.
Ischaemic strokes are the most common form and refer to clots that block the supply of blood to the brain. These clots may have formed within the brain or travelled from elsewhere in the body.
The second type of stroke is a haemorraghic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bursts in your brain.
A third condition, a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke also exists. A mini stroke is when an individual displays the signs of a stroke, however they disappear within 24 hours. Mini strokes also require immediate medical attention. They should not be ignored as they indicate that the individual is at risk of suffering a stroke.
According to the National Stroke Foundation (NSF), one in five people who suffer a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months.
Warning signs of stroke
The most common signs of a stroke are arm weakness, facial weakness and difficulty with speech. To identify a stroke the NSF advises people use the FAST test.
- F – Face. Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped?
- A – Arms. Can they lift both arms?
- S – Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- T – Time. Time is critical in this situation. If you see any of these signs call 000.
Signs of stroke can last for anywhere from a few seconds to over 24 hours. Other signs of stroke include
- Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
- Severe headaches or an unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Difficulty swallowing.
Once in medical care, doctors will use brain imaging to determine the type of stroke, its severity, and where the blockage or bleed is located. They will also take blood, and check an individual’s blood pressure and the rate of their heartbeat.
Risk factors
There are a number of factors that increase an individual’s risk of stroke. These are outside of your control, including age, gender and family history. There are, however, lifestyle factors that you can address to minimise your risk of stroke, including,
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise
- Cholesterol
- Excessive drinking
If you believe you are at risk of stroke, see your doctor as soon as you can.
For more information on strokes, their causes and prevention head to the National Stroke Foundation website.
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