How stroke awareness can improve outcomes

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability

According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people have a stroke each year worldwide. Among them, 5 million die, and 5 million experience permanent disability. This makes stroke one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. To help raise stroke awareness, May has been declared National Stroke Awareness Month.

Strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate medical care, so knowing the risk factors and warning signs of stroke is crucial.

What are ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes?

Strokes can be divided into ischemic (accounting for most cases) and hemorrhagic strokes.

An ischemic stroke develops when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot or a piece of plaque built up on the inner surface of an artery. As oxygen and nutrients from the blood cannot reach the affected brain area, brain cells can get damaged and die. Sometimes, the blockage of blood flow to the brain may break up before brain cell death occurs, which is a condition known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs due to sudden bleeding when an artery in the brain breaks open. In a hemorrhagic stroke, the leaked collection of blood increases brain pressure, which can lead to brain cell damage.

Which warning signs of stroke should you look out for?

Stroke is a medical emergency, so it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Being aware of warning signs of a stroke or TIA may help you recognize the condition and seek treatment quickly.

Stroke and TIA symptoms may differ depending on the type of stroke and which part of the brain is affected. The acronym FAST can help you spot warning signs of a stroke or TIA in another person:

• F = Face drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
• A = Arm weakness: ask the person to raise both their arms. Does one of their arms drift downwards?
• S = Speech difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred?
• T = Time to call for help: If any of these signs are present, call 911 immediately

There are also other warning signs of a stroke or TIA, including:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or an arm or leg, particularly when it affects only one side of the body
• Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding others’ speech
• Sudden difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of coordination or balance
• Sudden severe headache without an identified cause

Can you reduce your risk of developing stroke?

According to the American Stroke Association, up to 80% of stroke cases may be prevented. Researchers have discovered various risk factors for stroke, and fortunately, some can be controlled. Addressing risk factors that are in your control can help you reduce your risk of developing stroke.

Some of the most important controllable risk factors for stroke include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension), which develops when the pressure of blood in your vessels becomes too high. Checking your blood pressure regularly and keeping it within normal limits can help reduce your risk
• Obesity, which is excessively high weight associated with excess fat deposits in the body. It has been shown that losing even 5-10 pounds of excess body weight can help to decrease the risk of developing stroke
• Lack of physical activity. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, a healthcare provider can help you design a plan to add physical activity to your daily routine
• Smoking, which can lead to blood vessel damage, increased blood pressure and reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Quitting smoking can help lower your stroke risk
• Elevated levels of cholesterol (a fat-like, waxy substance in blood) can increase the risk of an artery becoming clogged. Cholesterol is carried through the blood by molecules known as lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are also known as “bad cholesterol,” as they have been associated with an elevated risk of stroke and heart disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are known as “good cholesterol,” since they transfer cholesterol from the blood to the liver

Assessing cholesterol levels can help you understand your stroke risk. In addition to routine cholesterol testing, a test for a specific type of LDL known as lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), which is also a stroke risk factor, has been developed and can contribute to a comprehensive stroke risk assessment. Visit Labcorp OnDemand’s website to learn more about this test.

Stroke can affect anybody and can be deadly. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk by making any necessary lifestyle changes and staying aware of risk factors and warning signs.