A stroke occurs when something interferes with the blood supply to part of the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, according to the CDC. When this occurs, the parts of the brain that lose blood supply become damaged or die.
Strokes can lead to lasting brain damage, long term disability, and even death. Because each part of the brain has a different function, from memory and speech to movement and cognition, the effects of stroke depend on the area of the brain that was affected.
While Strokes account for 1 out of 20 deaths in Americans, African Americans are nearly twice as likely to suffer a stroke than whites and have the highest death rate associated with the condition.
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical to saving lives and limiting brain damage. Remembering the first three letters of the word stroke, STR, can give you a quick assessment of someone who may be suffering from a stroke:
S – Ask the person to SMILE or STICK out their tongue. If there is a droop in their smile or their tongue is “crooked” or deviates to one side that could indicate a stroke in progress.
T – Ask the person to TALK or speak a simple sentence. Difficulty talking or slurred speech could be signs of a stroke.
R – Ask the person to RAISE both arms, difficulty raising one side is another sign that there may be a stroke taking place.
Another useful acronym recommended by experts for recognizing stroke symptoms is FAST, which means check for the following:
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulties
Time to call 911 if any of these are abnormal
Other common signs of stroke include numbness of the face, arm or leg; confusion or trouble understanding; visual changes in one or both eyes; trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination; and severe headache with no known cause. The ability to recognize a stroke in progress quickly can help save lives.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are the leading contributing causes of stroke.
However, strokes can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices such as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoiding foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat and cholesterol while incorporating high fiber foods is also key. Physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and cardiovascular system is another key preventative measure.
Dr. Kevin Kinney, board-certified and licensed Chiropractic Physician featured on INSIDER.com, TheTodayShow.com & BlackDoctorsMatter.org. Connect with Dr. Kev at drkevinkinney.com or @DrDuval904
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