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Stroke 101: Things You Should Know

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A stroke can be viewed as a brain attack, which can happen at any time, anywhere, and to anyone.  It happens when the flow of blood in the brain is disrupted, resulting in the deprivation of oxygen to the brain cells.  When the brain cells don’t get the oxygen they need, they begin to die.  When this happens during a stroke, the individual’s abilities, including muscle control and memory, that are controlled by that particular area of the brain are lost.  It is important to learn more about stroke, including the causes of stroke, and how to identify when someone is having a stroke to ensure immediate medical treatment is provided to reduce potential damages.  

Causes of Stroke

There can be numerous causes of a stroke.  Typically, the risk factors include usage of illegal drugs, smoking, heavy drinking, inactive lifestyle, family history, and obesity.  The causes can vary depending on the type of stroke.  The two most common types of stroke are:

Ischaemic Stroke – this occurs when the blood and oxygen flow in the brain is stopped due to a blood clot.  The causes of this stroke include:

  • Heavy consumption of alcohol
  • Diabetes
  • High level of cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking

Other causes of this stroke include Atrial Fibrillation, which is a kind of irregular heartbeat.

Haemorrhagic Stroke – this occurs when a vein inside the brain bursts, causing internal bleeding.  It is also known as intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage.  The causes of this stroke include:

  • Increased levels of stress
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Excessive drinking
  • Obesity

This stroke can also be caused due to abnormal formation of blood vessels or tearing of expanded blood vessels.

How To Identify When Someone Is Having A Stroke

There are various ways to identify if someone is having a stroke.  You can use the FAST method of identifying the signs:

F: Face Drooping

A: Arm Weakness

S: Speaking Difficulties

T: Time to call an ambulance

Some other warning signs include:

  • Weakness or numbness in the leg and face, particularly on one side
  • Increased confusion
  • Inability to understand others
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness
  • Severe headache

If you or anyone around you is experiencing these symptoms, it is best to call for medical attention immediately.

Prevention of Stroke

With the increasing cases of stroke, especially among young individuals, it is important to take measures to reduce your chances of stroke.  In general, you must adopt a healthy lifestyle, which will not only prevent stroke but numerous other health issues.  It is recommended that you take the following measures:

  • Control and maintain your blood pressure
  • Reduce the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol from your diet
  • Stop smoking
  • Control diabetes
  • Maintain your weight
  • Consume a diet loaded with vegetables and fruits
  • Regularly exercise
  • Quit or limit alcohol consumption
  • Avoid illegal drugs
  • Get treated for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

It is important to keep yourself educated about the signs and symptoms of stroke.  Moreover, it is essential to take effective measures to reduce your chances of a stroke, especially if you are high at risk.  In case you or someone around you is experiencing these symptoms or signs, get medical attention immediately to prevent major damages. 

Human Brain Illustration

Luke Perry’s Unfortunate Demise Indicates Stroke is Not Just a Concern for Elderly

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Many assume that a stroke happens among the elderly.  However, the recent death of Luke Perry, at the age of 52, has come as a strong reminder that stroke can happen to younger individuals too.  A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the flow of blood to your brain.  It can be caused by either internal bleeding or a blood clot.  Around 10% of the strokes that happen every year in the Europe strike individuals who are less than 50 years of age.

Stroke Cases

While stroke typically affects the elderly population, it certainly doesn’t mean it can’t affect individuals of other age groups.  According to experts, stroke can affect not just middle-aged individuals but also young adults in their 20s and 30s, and even children.  Evidence has suggested that there has been an increase in the rate of stroke cases amongst the younger population in the recent years.

According to the Burden Of Stroke Report, launched in the EU Parliament by Stroke Alliance for Europe, about 85% of stroke cases are ischemic strokes, when a clot stops the blood from flowing to the brain.  Generally, the risk of a stroke increases with age, 15% cases of ischemic stroke occur in adolescents and young adults.

Risk Factors and Causes of Stroke

The risk factors that can increase your chances of experiencing a stroke includes:

  • Obesity
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Cardiovascular diseases

Some potential causes of stroke include:

  • Arterial Dissection – an artery lining tears and gets separated from the vessel wall.  This results in the formation of a blood clot at the location of the tear, which makes its way to the brain, blocking the blood flow.
  • Hole in Heart – when an infant takes its first ever breath, the passageway between the heart’s right and left side should close.  In certain cases, that passageway stays open leaving a hole.  This hole can increase the chances of a stroke in future.
  • Clotting of Blood – in some individuals, due to some genetic mutation, blood clots are formed, which can make their way to their brain, stopping the flow of blood.
  • Rhythm Disturbance or Heart Defect – a structural defect in the heart can be caused by various factors, including a previous heart attack.  This can lead to the formation of clots in the heart, which can travel to the brain.
  • Narrowing of Artery – this can be caused by certain drugs and can block the blood flow in the brain.
  • Arteriovenous Malformation – this happens when there is a formation of a tangle of blood vessels with abnormal connections between arteries and veins which prevents the blood from flowing in the brain.

There are various signs that indicate that an individual is having a stroke, including speech difficulties, arm weakness, and face drooping.  It is essential to take the right measures to prevent stroke like restricting smoking and intake of alcohol, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight and diet.