Strokes have a traumatic impact on the people that suffer them and their loved ones. They can also affect people of all ages so it’s important to be able to identify the warning signs.
By identifying the early signs in yourself or a loved one, you can achieve the best outcome possible. It’s important to begin by understanding what a stroke is.
Many people think strokes only happen to the elderly, but this is a common misconception. Stroke symptoms can vary, but there are some common warning signs that you can look out for and remember with the acronym FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
If someone is having a stroke, their face may droop to one side. To check on someone you think might be suffering from a stroke, see if they can smile and if their eye or mouth is lopsided.
Check if the person can raise both arms as arm weakness is one of the symptoms. A person’s speech may be affected so see if the person can talk to you.
Finally, T stands for Time because you must call 999 as soon as possible if you see any signs. It is crucial to act fast when you believe someone is having a stroke. Other warning signs can come on suddenly and include blurred vision, memory loss, losing balance and an extreme headache. It’s also crucial to understand some of the factors that lead to a stroke including high blood pressure.
To reduce risk of a stroke you should undergo simple tests for cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure along with heart examinations. You should also live a healthy lifestyle including a good diet, staying active, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol.
