How strokes injure the brain, how to spot warning signs, and what you can do to reduce your risk.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Strokes are sometimes called “brain attacks”— and for good reason.
Strokes are medical emergencies that cause injury to the brain, which can lead to paralysis and problems with speech, cognition, vision, and other functions.
There are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic strokes, the most common kind, happen when a blood clot cuts off the brain’s supply of oxygen-rich blood.
The clot can form in a blood vessel in the brain… or somewhere else in the body, like the heart, and travel to the brain.
Without blood, brain cells immediately start to die. In just 2 minutes, someone can lose nearly 2 million brain cells. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures. Pressure from the blood damages the surrounding tissues.
When you’re having a stroke, every second counts. The longer you wait to get medical help, the more damage can occur. To spot warning signs of stroke, remember FAST.
F is for face: Is one side drooping or numb?
A is for arm: Is one arm weak or numb?
S is for speech: Is speech slurred, or is the person unable to speak?
T is for time to call 9-1-1 if the person shows any of these symptoms, even if they disappear.
For stroke patients who get to the hospital quickly, doctors can administer a drug called tPA to dissolve clots. In some cases, they may perform surgery.
A transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, can be a warning of a future stroke.
Symptoms are the same as those of a stroke, but they typically last for only a few minutes up to 24 hours and then disappear. It’s still important to call 9-1-1 right away.
To reduce your risk of stroke, seek treatment if you have an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation or AFib, which makes a stroke more likely.
Control your blood pressure.
Maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Eat a healthy, plant-based diet.
Exercise regularly.
Avoid excess alcohol, meaning no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
Maintain a healthy weight.
And if you smoke, quit.
These steps are also good for your heart. So by following them, you can help protect both your brain and your heart from an attack.