When someone is having a stroke, time is critical
With May being National Stroke Awareness Month, it’s important to know the signs and causes of stroke that affect more than 795,000 people in the United States every year, resulting in serious long-term disability for many of those afflicted by this cardiovascular disease.
A stroke is damage to the brain that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die, and the part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly. Brain damage can start within minutes of a stroke. But quick treatment can help limit the damage and increase the chance of a full recovery.
Knowing the signs of a stroke and understanding when to seek immediate medical attention can be the difference between life and death, according to Dr. Zahra A. Ajani with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, which operates Downey Medical Center.
“Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability, as it reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and older,” she said. “Every year, of the more than 795,000 people in the United States who have a stroke, about 610,000 of those are first or new strokes.”
Because stroke can often be a debilitating disease, it’s important to know what symptoms to look for and when to seek immediate medical attention, Dr. Ajani said. She recommended remembering the acronym known as BE FAST and calling 911 if you or a loved one experience these kinds of symptoms.
B = BALANCE: Sudden change in balance or coordination.
E= EYES: Sudden vision loss or double vision.
F = FACE: Facial droop. Sudden uneven appearance of the face.
A = ARMS/LEGS: Sudden trouble moving or feeling arms and/or legs.
S = SPEECH: Sudden difficulty speaking or can’t speak clearly.
T = TIME LOST IS BRAIN LOST: Make note of the time the symptoms started. Call 911.
Seeking immediate medical attention often is the difference between life and death. Consider the following statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
In 2021, 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease were due to stroke.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies of stroke.
About 185,000 strokes—nearly 1 in 4—are in people who have had a previous stroke.
About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, in which blood flow to the brain is blocked.
Stroke-related costs in the United States came to nearly $56.5 billion between 2018 and 2019. This total includes the cost of health care services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.
“Once you have a stroke, you are more likely to have another one,” Dr. Ajani said. “But the good news is that stroke survivors can take action to reduce their risk of having another stroke. And that begins with identifying what caused your stroke and learning more about all of your personal risk factors.”
According to the American Stroke Association, the following will help reduce your probability from suffering a stroke:
Brain Health: As you age, a healthy body is key to a healthy brain and sharp mind.
Healthy Eating: Healthy eating and cooking start with smart food choices.
Healthy Lifestyle: True health includes good sleep, practicing mindfulness, managing stress and connecting socially.
Physical Activity: Whether it’s a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to becoming healthier.
“It all comes down to knowing how to lead a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically,” Dr. Ajani said.