Stroke - Let's learn more!
What is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of your brain is interrupted. Without enough blood and oxygen, brain cells start to die, and that can cause serious issues like trouble speaking, moving, or thinking. It’s a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.
With the proper immediate care and attention and then with hard work and rehabilitation a full recovery can be achieved, but for some they will always be disabled by the stroke that happened. So let’s look at more information to help us all.
Types of Stroke
There are three main types:
Ischemic Stroke (most common – about 87%):
Caused by a blood clot blocking a vessel in the brain.
Think of it like a traffic jam in your brain’s circulation.
2. Haemorrhagic Stroke:
Caused by a burst blood vessel that bleeds into the brain.
Like a pipe bursting and flooding part of the brain.
3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke":
Caused by a temporary blockage. Symptoms go away in a few minutes or hours.
It’s a warning sign that a major stroke could be coming.
Common Causes (Risk Factors)
There are some things you can control and some you can’t:
Controllable risk factors:
High blood pressure
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity
Excessive alcohol use
Uncontrollable risk factors:
Age (risk increases as you get older)
Family history of stroke
Previous stroke or TIA
How to Prevent a Stroke
Strokes are often preventable. Here’s how to lower your risk:
Manage blood pressure
Eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Drink alcohol only in moderation
Take prescribed medications if you have conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart problems
Basically, what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.
F. A. S. T.
Know the Signs of Stroke
Acting quickly is critical. Use the FAST acronym to remember the signs:
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?
S – Speech: Is speech slurred, garbled, or strange?
T – Time: If you see any of these signs, call 911 immediately. Every second counts.
Final Thoughts
Stroke is serious, but knowledge is power.
By recognizing the signs and reducing risk factors, you can make a big difference - for yourself and others.
May is Stroke Awareness Month so it is a great time to spread information about STROKE!
Written as part of the Disability Support Community Articles. More can be found here
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As a nurse with a rehabilitation background, I think a key take away from this post is that if you or a family member/friend has maybe had a stroke, but you aren’t sure, remember TIME is crucial. In the US, depending on the type of stroke, there is usually only a narrow window of time (sometimes ~45 minutes) where a patient can benefit from life-saving stroke medications. Everyone’s access to healthcare looks different, but if you have the resources, don’t wait before seeking help because every minute counts after a stroke.
One aspect of stroke recovery that can be overlooked is how a stroke affects the mental health of the patient, depending on what part of the brain it originates from and the patient’s support system/lack of support system during their recovery. If someone close to you has had a stroke and has a long road to recovery, patience and presence in their life as well as caregiver education and support go a very long way 🌺
@MistyMagic thanks I wish I had read this a few years ago. My dad was having Tia's I thought it was Alzheimer's and didn't recognise the symptoms. Then he had the big stroke. It is just like you said. The drooping and mumbling and it's very scary. I hope they teach this in schools.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s strokes, @cocoacassie. Sending you solace 💞
@sereneEnergy9119 thank you, that's very kind
About 8 years ago I suffered a very mild Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke"
I was talking to a co-worker and my mind went completely blank, he said I stuttered for a few seconds but came back. The massive headache after that episode was something I had never felt before.
I went back to my office, put my head down and about an hour later it subsided.
At the time I wasn't aware of what happened, my co-worker mentioned the episode to my boss who came into my office asking if all was OK. I just basically shook it off and thankfully there has never been another episode since. (knock on wood)
In hind sight, I should have went to the hospital but did not want to worry anyone.