Strokes

By: Sabrina Y. | Edited by Shelomith H.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is an illness that affects the arteries that carry blood into the brain. These arteries allow blood to bring the required oxygen and nutrients to the brain through an intricate web of blood vessels that travel through veins. When the blood supply to the brain is blocked, the brain is deprived of its much-needed nutrients, causing brain cells to immediately die, which is also commonly known as a stroke. Each part of the brain corresponds to different bodily functions; when brain cells fail, one’s body will function improperly. These cause the notorious symptoms of strokes that can be detected in a quick and simple manner with the acronym: FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time. If someone is experiencing weakness in an arm, slurred speech, or a drooping face, then there is a high probability that they are experiencing a stroke. The key to mitigating the effects of strokes is acting fast, and dialing 911 to alert the proper authorities as time is especially precious in this case. Any second wasted could result in detrimental complications; the faster the response, the better the outcome.

Symptoms

Symptoms present themselves in areas of the body that are controlled by the damaged areas of the brain. If a stroke is left untreated, brain damage, disability, and even death are likely. Every second lost is a second closer to long-term disability and complications; thus, it is critical to learn how to detect the symptoms.

Some symptoms may include:

• Paralysis

• Numbness/weakness on side of the body

• Confusion

• Slurred speech

• Vision problems

• Trouble walking (loss of coordination)

• Dizziness

• Severe and sudden headache

Statistics:

• Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for women in America and the fifth leading cause of death for men in America

Annually:

• Approximately 140,000 people die from strokes; all of whom resulted from complications

• Approximately 800,000 people experience a stroke

• Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke

• Every 4 minutes, someone dies from stroke-related complications

Strokes and Women

Strokes can occur in both men and women. Although men are more susceptible to strokes earlier in life, women have an overall higher risk throughout their lifetime, despite their longer average life span. Age is a significant factor because as a person grows older; the passage of time takes a toll on one’s arteries, slowly hardening and narrowing them. Additionally, most women undergo pregnancy or take birth control which can cause hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of strokes as it puts pressure on one’s blood vessels, thus increasing the likelihood of blocked blood flow. Lastly, as women grow older, they undergo menopause, forcing their bodies to adjust to the hormonal changes that can, in some instances, cause high cholesterol levels, which are instrumental in the creation of fat buildup in one’s blood vessels. Along with the higher probability of experiencing a stroke, women are also more likely to die due to the above reasons.

Strokes manifest differently in men and women. Each sex has symptoms that are associated with them as well as common symptoms. Women tend to report nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, fainting, confusion, and sudden changes in behavior. 1 in 5 American women will have a stroke over the course of their lifetime, averaging to around 425,000 women having a stroke every year; this is 55,000 more than the number of cases of strokes in men. Research from recent studies show that 60% of women who suffer a stroke will die, while only 40% of men who experience a stroke will die. This disparity can be attributed to many reasons, some of which are not fully clear. For example, because women’s bodies differ in their adaptation to the biological cycles they experience, like pregnancy and menopause, strokes affect women more severely. Compounded with that, many women are unaware of the full breadth of this pervasive disease. In a study conducted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 36% of women did not know the symptoms of a stroke, and 70% of them did not know the causes and risk factors of strokes.

Strokes and Men

Men are less likely to die from stroke but have a higher likelihood of having a stroke earlier in life; this may be due to habits of regular consumption of alcohol, usage of tobacco or nicotine, and overall unhealthy eating habits. These factors lead to high blood pressure earlier in life, which can weaken one’s blood vessels and increase the probability of stroke later on in life. Men commonly report drooping on one side of the face, muscle weakness on one side of the body, and slurred speech as the main signs of a stroke.

Types of Strokes:

Strokes are categorized into three main types which are subsequently divided into more specific classifications. The first type is an ischemic stroke, which makes up 87% of stroke cases, making it the most common category. Ischemic strokes occur when oxygen-carrying blood vessels like arteries are blocked by blood clots, drastic reduction of blood flow, or atherosclerosis (common condition related to aging). As one ages, the natural, gradual accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and calcium begin forming plaque (fatty substances), which gradually constricts the passageway for blood, thus making blood flow more difficult. Ischemic strokes can be broken down further into the following categories: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes are blood clots that form in an artery before passing through the bloodstream and becoming lodged. Embolic strokes are blood clots created in another part of the body before traveling to the brain. The second classification of strokes is the transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIAs happen when the flow of blood to the brain is temporarily suspended by blood clots. The symptoms are akin to a full stroke and can range in duration from a few minutes to a few hours. TIA’s are also known as mini-strokes and are usually a sign that a full stroke may be incoming. At this point, one should visit the doctor and enact preventative measures as a precaution.

The last category of strokes is the hemorrhagic stroke. This is when an artery inside of the brain bursts and begins leaking blood; the blood puts pressure on one’s brain, causing it to swell which damages brain cells and tissues. The two types of hemorrhagic stroke are intracerebral and subarachnoid. Intracerebral strokes occur when blood fills the tissues around the brain, while subarachnoid strokes occur when the blood accumulates in the area between the brain and its tissues. The main causes of hemorrhagic strokes are aneurysms or arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM is very rare and only occurs in 1% of the population, however in some cases, this disorder can be life-threatening. As AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries, the malformation can cause bleeding. The most common origin of hemorrhagic strokes is an aneurysm, which are weak sections of blood vessels that originate from high blood pressure. At any time, aneurysms can rupture and blood can leak. Hemorrhagic strokes are harder to manage but only 13% of strokes are of this type.

Once strokes are identified, many things can be done to help treat them. For ischemic strokes, doctors typically prescribe tPA, a medication that breaks blood clots, to ensure that blood flow is restored. One downside is that this drug has to be administered within 3 hours of the stroke in order for treatment to be effective. As for hemorrhagic strokes, all that can be done is managing the swelling and bleeding, and lowering blood pressure.

Risk Factors:

There are many factors that increase the risk of strokes, such as family history, gender, age, diet, inactivity/stagnation, alcohol consumption, usage of tobacco, and smoking habits. Maintaining regular checkups with a doctor, staying educated, and taking preventative measures are the best solutions in lowering the risk of having a stroke. Moderating one’s consumption is key to living a healthy life. One should avoid unhealthy diets that include foods with high levels of sodium, saturated and trans fat, and cholesterol as they could lead to major problems, including atherosclerosis. If one lacks exercise, one may develop other conditions like obesity or diabetes, which raises the risk of strokes. Too much of anything is bad but this applies even more to alcohol. The recommended level is around one drink a day for women or two for men. Any more alcohol intake leads to an increase in blood pressure as well as fat. Lastly, frequent usage of tobacco or nicotine drastically increases blood pressure which can weaken the walls of one’s blood vessels and increase the chance of an aneurysm, possibly leading to a stroke.

Reducing the Risk of Stroke:

According to the CDC, 4 in 5 strokes are preventable, meaning one can live a healthy life without fear of a stroke if one takes the proper precautions. Doctors cannot stress this enough: if one has a healthy diet, a healthy exercise regime, and a balanced life, then health issues are unlikely to arise. Things one can do firsthand to prevent one’s first or second stroke is to immediately stop smoking, reduce one’s consumption of alcohol, eat a balanced diet, and stay active and keep one’s weight within a healthy range by using a body mass index as a reference, Lastly, if one’s family history and age are riddled with a high risk for strokes, or even if one has a clean history, it is essential to get regular checkups with one’s family doctor. Make sure your doctor is informed and that you are taking the right precautions necessary to manage your health before any strokes occur.

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WORKS CITED PAGE

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