A stroke can occur suddenly and in just a few minutes cause serious damage to the brain. Early recognition of warning symptoms and prompt seeking emergency medical attention can prove crucial for survival, recovery and limitation of long-term disability.
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and severe disability, but Mayo Clinic experts emphasize that rapid treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
"When it comes to treating a stroke, timing is critical," explains Dr. S. Smith. Josephine Huang, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. The earlier medical care begins, he says, the greater the chances of limiting permanent disability and improving recovery.
What happens during a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted. This can happen either because a clot clogs an artery that supplies the brain (ischemic stroke), or because a blood vessel bleeds in or around the brain, resulting in a haemorrhagic stroke.
Although their causes and treatments differ, both are medical emergencies. The priority is to recognize what is happening as quickly as possible, so that the appropriate treatment can begin.
One of the challenges is that stroke symptoms can, sometimes, improve or disappear. Mayo Clinic experts emphasize that this should never be a reason for a delay in medical evaluation. Emergency medical attention should be sought as soon as symptoms appear.
The Warning Signs That Should Never Be Ignored
Stroke symptoms usually appear suddenly. They may include sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking or understanding language, changes in vision, dizziness, and problems with balance or coordination.
A useful way to remember the main warning signs is the acronym BE FAST:
B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
E – Eyes: Sudden difficulty in vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
F – Face: Drooping, numbness or asymmetry on one side of the face.
A – Arm: Sudden weakness or numbness, particularly in one arm.
S – Speech: Unclear speech or difficulty speaking or understanding others.
T – Time: Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
The last point is especially important: Waiting to see if symptoms get worse can cost you valuable time for treatment.
How stroke is treated
For an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot, doctors may prescribe medications intended to dissolve the clot and restore circulation to the affected area of the brain.
Some patients may also undergo minimally invasive procedures, which naturally remove a clot from a blocked blood vessel. "These are the so-called intravascular procedures," explains Dr. Huang. Doctors can navigate through a blood vessel with specialized equipment to reach the clot and remove it, allowing blood to flow back to the brain.
Treatment differs in the case of haemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding in the brain is observed. In these cases, doctors will probably need to regulate blood pressure, reverse the effects of anticoagulant drugs when appropriate and, in some cases, perform surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
The appropriate intervention therefore depends on the type of stroke and this is another reason why immediate evaluation in the hospital is necessary.
Many risk factors are in our hands
Speed is critical from the moment a stroke starts, but prevention begins much earlier. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and atrial fibrillation are among the factors linked to an increased risk of stroke.
According to Mayo Clinic experts, nearly 90% of strokes can potentially be prevented through proper management of risk factors and changes that support a healthier lifestyle.
Regular medical check-ups can help identify conditions before they contribute to a serious cardiovascular event. Physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are also part of preventing a stroke.
As Dr. Huang, identifying risk factors and managing them properly can go a long way in preventing a stroke. But when warning signs appear, prevention gives way to emergency action.
Symptoms such as sudden facial drooping, weakness, speech difficulties, vision changes or loss of balance should be treated as an emergency – because, in the event of a stroke, every minute counts.
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