Be Aware of Strokes and ACT F.A.S.
T
F ‒ Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided?
A‒ Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S ‒ Speech: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
T ‒ Time to call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital
immediately.
What Is a Stroke?
• The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of
oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or
rupture of an artery to the brain.
• Also known as “Cerebrovascular Accident” or CVA
Types of Strokes:
1. Ischemic Stroke
• When the arteries that supply blood to the
brain becomes narrow or blocked leading
to blood clots.
• Blood clots limit the blood flow to the brain
• 87% of strokes are Ischemic
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke
• When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures
and bleeds to the surrounding tissues
within the brain. The blood accumulates
and compresses surrounding brain tissue.
• Makes up out 13 percent of stroke cases.
3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
• Mini-stroke that has similar symptoms to a
full stroke.
• These symptoms can sometimes go away
within a few minutes or last up to 24 hours
and the person can appear normal again.
• This is caused by a brief blockage of the
oxygen’s flow to the brain.
• Up to 10 – 15% who experienced TIA also
had a major stroke within 3 months.
IMPORTANCE of Calling Medical Emergency:
• Patient with stroke can get medical attention as soon
as possible. They will get the emergency treatment
that is needed while being transported to the
hospital to not waste any precious time.
The Effects of Stroke Within Different Body Systems
Respiratory System Circulatory System
• Dysphagia is a common symptom
where the damaged area of the brain
causes trouble eating and swallowing.
If the muscles in your throat, tongue,
or mouth are not able to direct food
down the esophagus, food and liquid
can get into the airway and settle in
the lungs, which can lead to
pneumonia.
Muscular System
Nervous System
• This system is made up of the brain,
spinal cord, and a network of nerve
throughout the body that sends signals
back and forth from the body to brain.
When the brain is damaged, the
messages will not be received correctly.
• Pain may be more present, and vision
can change if the parts of the brain that
communicates with the eyes get
damaged. Which can lead to a loss of
vision, losing one side or parts of the
field of vision, and problems moving the
eyes.
• Nerve damage can be seen through foot
drop, which is a weakness or paralysis Digestive System
that makes it hard to lift the front part
of the foot and causing you to drag your
toes when walking.
• Damage to Parts of the Brain:
• Front part may cause changes
in intelligence, movement,
logic, personality, and
thinking patters.
• Right side can cause loss of
attention span, focus and
memory issues, and trouble Urinary System
recognizing faces or objects.
This all can result in
behavioral changes like
impulsiveness,
inappropriateness, and
depression.
• Left side can cause difficulty
speaking and understanding
language, memory problems,
trouble reasoning, organizing,
and thinking
mathematically/analytically.
• Higher risk of having a seizure depends
on size, location, and severity of the
stroke.
Common Symptoms:
Sudden confusion,
trouble speaking, or
understanding.
Sudden trouble
seeing in one or
both eyes.
Sudden severe
headache with
no know cause.
Every year, more than 795,000
people in the United States suffer
from a stroke.
More than 140, 000 people die
each year from stroke in the U.S.
(1 out of every 20 deaths)
Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every
40 seconds, and every 4 minutes,
someone dies from a stroke.
• The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system,
consists of the heart d the blood vessels that delivers
nutrients and oxygen all cells throughout the body.
• A stroke happens when one of the vessels that lead to the
brain becomes blocked a blood clot or bursts. This stops the
blood flow and prevents oxygen from getting to the brain
which can lead to many factors such as brain damage.
• Depending on the area of the brain that is affected, a
stroke can affect many muscle groups.
• Messages that are unable to travel properly from the
brain to body can lead to paralysis and muscle
weakness.
• Weak muscles can be experienced in one limb, or part
of a limb, and this can limit the body’s mobility.
• The inability to move limbs due to severe weakness in
muscle groups is called paralysis. Paralysis is
different from hemiparesis which is weakness on one
side of the body. Paralysis on one side of the body is
referred to as hemiplegia. These conditions cause the
distilment in muscle groups that limits the body’s
mobility.
• Stroke can affect the part of the brain that controls the
bowels. This can cause incontinence meaning the loss of
control over bowel function.
• Less mobility can cause a person to be more prone to
constipation which is difficulty emptying the bowels.
• Swallowing can be an issue after a stroke; therefore, a
feeding tube would be necessary to help direct food to the
digestive system for nutrients.
• Strokes cause neurological damage to the body,
especially the nerves that control the bladder. The
damaged nerves will not be able to properly
communicate with the bladder leading to urinary
frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, and
urinary retention.
Chances of survival is greater when emergency treatment
begins quickly. In a survey, 93% of respondents realized a
Sudden numbness or sudden numbness on one side as a symptom of stroke;
weakness of the face,
arm, or leg. Especially only 38% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to
on one side of the body.
call 911 when someone was having a stroke.
38%
Sudden trouble
walking, dizziness, 93%
loss of balance or
coordination.
Strokes are the leading cause of serious long-term disability. It
reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65
and over. A stroke can occur at any age and 2/3 of 7 million of
stroke survivors are disabled.
If you have a stroke, you are at a higher risk of
having a 2nd stroke or possibly a heart attack.
About 185,000 strokes (nearly 1 of 4) are
About 40% of stroke deaths people who had a stroke previously. Around
occur in males and 60% in 25% who recover their first stroke will have
females. another within 5 years.
Female Male
Risk Factors à How to Minimize Them
• High Blood Pressure à Maintain healthy BP by making modifications to
lifestyle. There are also prescribed medicine by your doctor for BP control.
• High Cholesterol à Control lipids with prescribed medicine, maintain
healthy body weight, exercise regularly, and maintain healthy diet.
• Obesity à Maintain a healthy weight and diet. There are many resources
to assist with healthy weight management.
• Smoking à The risk is higher than non-smokers because smoking reduces
oxygen flow to the brain which makes your heart work harder. As a result,
blood clots will form. Your body will thank you when you quit smoking.
• Heart Disease à Medications can help support your heart function.
Antiplatelet or Anticoagulation medicines help prevent blood clots.
• Diabetes Mellitus à Control and monitor blood sugar levels. Maintain
regular exercise and a healthy diet.
• Excessive Use of Alcohol à Do not drink more than what is recommended
as your safe limit. Reduce the intake of alcohol for a lower risk.
• Low Physical Activity à 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most
days is recommended for good health.
• Drug Abuse à Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine can cause high
BP and inflame your arteries which makes it easier for them to burst and
bleed into the brain. Seek for help if you have an addiction to drugs.
Treatment: What to Expect in the ER
1. When brought into the ER, stroke victim will get a computed tomography
scan (CT scan) immediately for a suspected stroke. CT scans can quickly
show if there is bleeding in the brain; a “clot-buster” drug might be used
if stroke is not caused by a bleed, however, you will need to meet specific
guidelines before you can receive this drug (e.g.: it has to be within 3-4
hours since your stroke symptoms were first noticed).
2. Specific methods to remove blood clots but must meet the guidelines for
the procedure.
• If stroke caused by bleeding instead of blood clot, then surgery
may be an option.
• If you receive the “clot-buster” drug, you will be monitored in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at least overnight.
• If you get surgery, then you will also spend time in the ICU.
3. First, they must determine the extent of the damage caused by the
stroke (some people have issues thinking, speaking and communicating,
others cannot swallow without choking, some have weakness in arms
and legs
4. Safety is crucial at this time like making sure you do not fall or get
pneumonia from choking.