Are There Symptoms Before a Stroke?

Controllable or treatable risk factors:

•  high blood pressure
•  atrial fibrillation
•  high cholesterol
•  diabetes
•  tobacco use and smoking
•  alcohol use
•  physical inactivity

Uncontrollable risk factors:

•  family history
•  fibromuscular dysplasia
•  patent foramen ovale
•  previous stroke or TIA

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a “warning stroke” or “mini-stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage.

Most strokes aren’t preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who’ve had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who’s had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn’t.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

 

Have you seen the STROKE Warning email?

There is an email that circulates around the world with the worthy goal of educating people about the warning signs of stroke.

The email informs you that a cardiologist has said if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, many lives will be saved.

The information is very worth while so I’d like to share it with you here. The globe trotting “STROKE Warning email” says to remember the first 3 letters of the word stroke.

 

If you suspect that someone has had a stroke:

[S]  Ask  the individual to SMILE.

[T] Ask  the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out  today.)

[R] Ask  him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

 

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call your local emergency number and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Recently a new sign of stroke has been added to this helpful globe trotting email.

[Important NEW Stroke Symptom] Have them stick out their tongue and see if it is crooked or goes to one side or the other.

There have been GREAT strides forward in the treatment of stroke. 

Time really is of the essence!  The sooner drugs are started, the better the chance of minimizing the damage!

Keep in mind:

[S] When you ask the victim to smile does one side of their face droop?

[T] Is their speech slurred when they attempt to repeat the simple sentence?

[T] When they stick out their tongue, is is crooked or veering off left or right?

[R] When they raise both arms does one drift downward?

 

When you see the signs of a STROKE you need to act FAST!

Remember this acronym for FAST:

Check victims face for a crooked smile.

Check arms for signs of stroke.

Check speech for slurring and signs of confusion.

Time is of the essence!  Call 911!

 

Let me share a story with you to illustrate my point:

Lynn Jordon, the founder of AuthorsToolsBlog, recently got a call from a neighbor of her in-laws.  This neighbor had been coming in to care for Lynn’s mother-in-law because apparently the woman had been unable to walk for several days.

The neighbor said that Lynn’s mother-in-law had been crawling to the bathroom.

Lynn suspected she’d had yet another stroke, and instructed the concerned neighbor to get her to the hospital.

This neighbor lady had seen the globe trotting “STROKE Warning Signs email” and she let Lynn know that there was no need to worry about stroke.

She reported that Lynn’s mother-in-law could smile, raise both her arms and she was talking just fine.

She wasn’t sure why Lynn’s mom-in-law was crawling to the bathroom, but she had ruled out stroke!

Less Obvious Signs and Symptoms of STROKE:

•  SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body.
•  SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
•  SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
•  SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
•  SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

No matter which warning signs present, TIME is of the essence!

 

Do not assume you are witnessing “just another TIA”!

So often, having had TIA symptoms before a stroke can lull family and friends into complacency causing the loss of valuable time!!

With quick thinking and immediate treatment the victim stands a good chance of a full recovery!

Are there symptoms before a stroke? No, but when you see symptoms of a stroke in progress you will know that fast action is required!

The way to prevent a stroke is to take better care of yourself LONG before the symptoms of stroke cause panic!

Take care of you and yours by downloading your free ebook from Heart Failure Solutions.

Click on the link below to learn how your breathing could prevent a stroke!

Get your questions answered by The Life Breath Coach, that’s what The Life Breath Club is for!

Join The Life Breath Club Today!

This is a private membership site to protect your medical privacy.

It’s FREE!

 

Many blessings,

Carrie Tucker, RCP

The Life Breath Coach

Heart Failure Solutions

 

PS–  Remember everyday:

• Relax and Release tension
• Exhale slowly
• Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life

Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter