H E A LT H
Is that stress or stroke? Find
out the warning signs
I
s that work stress or something more complicated?
Does that headache not feel right?
Could you be having a stroke?
Every stroke patient might have different symptoms;
however, the symptoms of a stroke are very sudden.
What is a stroke?
Strokes occur due to problems with the blood supply to
the brain; either the blood supply is blocked or a blood
vessel within the brain ruptures. A stroke is a medical
emergency, and treatment must be sought as quickly as
possible.
There are three main kinds of stroke; ischemic strokes,
hemorrhagic strokes and transient ischemic attacks
(TIAs), also referred to as mini-strokes.
The Warning Signs of a Stroke:
· A terrible headache
· Weakness on one side of your body
· Trouble walking, talking, or understanding things
· Vision loss in one or both eyes
At times, other health issues can mimic stroke symptoms. A high blood pressure can cause headaches, feelings of weakness, and vision problems. Hypertension is
the major cause of stroke.
Chronic stress in life, increases the risk of older people
having a stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Understand your body & learn to differentiate between
symptoms for stress/anxiety attacks, stroke or migraines. Better understanding of important & potentially
modifiable stroke risk factors, including stress and hypertension, is required given the aging population and
increasing burden of stroke.
How is a stroke different from a heart attack/cardiac ar-
rest?
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the
heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Without oxygenated blood, the heart muscle begins to die. A stroke
is a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Heart attacks are almost always the
result of progressive coronary artery disease (CAD). In
CAD, the arteries that supply blood to the heart become
choked with fatty deposits called plaque, which narrows
and blocks arteries. The condition is called atherosclerosis. When pieces of plaque break free, blood clots can
form, blocking the flow of blood to the heart. When that
happens, the heart muscle does not get the oxygen and
nutrients that it needs, and parts of the heart may become damaged or die. This is a heart attack. When the
blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing a part
of the brain to die, it is called a stroke, or "brain attack."
A stroke requires immediate medical attention. Stroke is
similar to a heart attack, but it affects the blood vessels
in the brain instead of the heart.
Preventive Tips for Stroke:
If you've had a stroke, preventing a second stroke is
a top priority. The risk of a stroke is tenfold higher in
someone who has had a stroke in the past. Keep your
blood pressure low since high blood pressure ex \