Key Takeaways:
- A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds or when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Blood and oxygen cannot reach the brain’s tissues because of the rupture or obstruction.
- A better outcome may result from rapidly identifying stroke symptoms and receiving treatment.
- Facial drooping, weakness or paralysis, as well as slurred speech, are some symptoms that might appear suddenly.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a blocked or burst artery is the cause of a stroke. The phrase “time is brain” is frequently used by medical professionals to imply that the faster you receive treatment, the lower the risk of irreversible damage to your brain tissue. The majority of strokes (ischemic strokes) are caused by a blood clot, while the remainder are caused by brain haemorrhage (haemorrhagic stroke).
What are some signs and symptoms of stroke to keep in mind?
Pay close attention to the moment the symptoms first appeared if you believe that you or someone you are with may be having a stroke. When administered quickly after a stroke starts, some therapy options are most successful.
Symptoms of stroke include:
Trouble seeing or blurry vision
- In a study that was conducted in August 2020 and published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the researchers discovered that 82.61% of stroke patients did not consider visual issues to be a possible stroke symptom.
- Double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision in one eye can all be symptoms of a stroke.
- You should immediately pay attention to this symptom because it might not be as well-known as facial weakness, limb weakness, and speech issues.
Problems Speaking
- Speech comprehension and expression may be hampered by stroke.
- Repeating the sentence “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” from the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is one of the tests.
- There is a good possibility that you have had or are having a stroke if you are unable to talk, slur your words, or use the wrong words.
Face, arm, or leg numbness or paralysis
- You could suddenly experience facial, arm, or leg paralysis, weakness, or numbness. Usually, just one side of the body is impacted.
- Attempt to simultaneously raise both of your arms above your head.
- You might be having a stroke if one of your arms starts to fall. When you attempt to smile, one side of your mouth might also droop.
Dizziness or Balance Issues
- People could mistake you for being drunk if you’re feeling queasy, dizzy, or having difficulties walking while you’re actually suffering a stroke.
- people may mistake stroke symptoms for those of other illnesses. These might include ailments like COVID-19, migraines, or even Parkinson’s disease.
- Sometimes sudden dizziness is attributed to a viral syndrome when it can be the sign of a stroke.
Pain
- According to a Current Journal of Neurology study published in January 2020, “pain should be considered as an atypical symptom of stroke.”
- In other words, while having discomfort prior to a stroke is not common, it is possible.
- Therefore, if you suddenly get discomfort in your arm, leg, one side of your face or chest, don’t just brush it off as nothing.
Hiccups
- Hiccups are typically just a minor annoyance.
- But according to MedlinePlus, hiccups can happen when your diaphragm is disturbed by things like eating too rapidly or in excess, as well as by illnesses like stomach bloating and neurological problems like strokes.
- In particular, a stroke that affects the respiratory centre of the brain might cause an abrupt, extended episode of the hiccups.
Heart palpitations or difficulty breathing
- Have trouble breathing or experience racing or fluttering in your heart? Consider whether you might be experiencing a stroke.
- If you already experience heart or respiratory problems, you should be extra vigilant about a potential stroke.
- As an illustration, researchers of a study that appeared in the April 2021 issue of Sleep Medicine Reviews highlighted that sleep disturbed breathing “is…an independent risk factor of stroke”.
- Furthermore, CDC has noted that having an irregular heartbeat can increase your risk for stroke as well.
Mental or Physical Fatigue
- A November 2021 study from Brain found that fatigue may be a key stroke symptom. A stroke may be imminent if you suddenly feel fatigued and you are unable to identify the cause.
- Women who suffer from ischemic stroke, the kind brought on by clots, are more prone than males to feel overall weakness, weariness, disorientation, and changes in mental status, according to a study published in September 2011 in the journal Gender Medicine.
Terrible Headache
- A typical stroke symptom is a sudden, excruciating headache that may be the worst you’ve ever experienced.
- An interesting study that examined people with high blood pressure and diabetes’ understanding of stroke symptoms was published in Risk Management and Healthcare Policy in August 2021.
- They discovered that a significant portion of people in all of the trials were unaware that a strong headache could be an indication of a stroke, so you should pay closer attention if a headache strikes you abruptly.
- However, when persons turn up with severe headaches, they are not usually diagnosed with stroke.
- If they have stroke-like symptoms, they should request a neurology consult or brain MRI in the emergency room.
Droopy Face
- Stroke symptoms might also include sudden, one-sided numbness or weakness of the face.
- The American Stroke Association’s F.A.S.T. warning signs list it as one of the first symptoms to watch out for in the event of a probable stroke.
- You’ll be asked to smile or reveal your teeth by emergency workers. You may be having a stroke if one side of your face droops or remains immobile.
What does this mean for you?
A blocked or torn artery is the cause of a stroke. The phrase “time is brain” is frequently used by healthcare professionals to imply that the faster you receive treatment, the less likely it is that your brain tissue will sustain long-term damage. Stroke therapies, such as clot-busting drugs, must be administered within the first three to four hours. Therefore, it is crucial to pay urgent attention. A stroke is a medical emergency, therefore getting help quickly is essential. Early intervention can lessen problems and brain damage. If you have any symptoms or signs of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go or disappear entirely, call for emergency medical help.
