Did you know stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US? That’s right — stroke is a serious medical emergency, and in stroke care, every second counts. May is Stroke Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to prevent a stroke, how to spot the signs, and what to do. Knowing what to look for, and the warning signs, could save a life, even your own.
Not all strokes are the same, but their symptoms are similar. Strokes are typically classified into two different types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain, while a hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and causes bleeding. Although the causes are different, both types interrupt blood flow to the brain, and both require immediate medical attention. The key thing to remember? Stroke symptoms usually come on suddenly. That’s why recognizing the signs quickly is so important, because the best stroke care and outcomes depend on getting emergency help right away.
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly, call 911 right away.
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance or coordination.
- Severe headache with no known cause.
As mentioned earlier, strokes are treated differently depending on the type and several other factors. That’s why having a skilled, prepared team matters. At Winona Health, our Emergency Department caregivers are specifically trained to respond to stroke emergencies. The sooner a person gets to the Emergency Department, the better the chances of limiting the damage and improving outcomes. That’s why every second truly counts.
According to the American Stroke Association, there are some risk factors for stroke that cannot be changed and others we can control. Things we cannot change include:
- Age: Strokes can happen at any age, but the older you are the greater your risk.
- Sex: Women have a higher lifetime risk. Birth control and pregnancy pose special risks.
- Heredity and race: Individuals with a close blood relation who has had a stroke are at a higher risk themselves. Black and Hispanic people are at higher risk, because they often have high blood pressure.
- Stroke history: If you’ve had a prior stroke or mini strokes (TIA) in the past you are at risk of having another one.
Things you can do to lower your risk include:
- Manage your blood pressure: Normal blood pressure is 120/80
- Manage your health conditions well with the help of your primary care provider: Uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, carotid or other artery diseases, irregular heartbeats/rhythms like atrial fibrillation, sickle cell blood disorder, and sleep apnea increase your risk of stroke.
- Quit smoking, vaping, using any illegal drugs or excessive alcohol intake: Tobacco use, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, heroin, more than one drink a day for women, or two drinks per day for men and/or binge drinking increase your risk.
- Stay active and eat a healthy diet: Being inactive, obese, or both increase your risk.
If you’re at risk for stroke, talk to your primary care provider about steps you can take to lower your risk.
Getting treatment early can help reduce long-term disability and even prevent death. At the first sign of stroke symptoms, don’t wait! Call 911 immediately. The Winona Area Ambulance Service and Winona Health Emergency Department caregivers are here for you, 24/7, ready whenever you need us.
Chris Watras, DO, Winona Health Emergency Department Physician Stroke Program Director.