Identify the warning signs of a stroke and heat stroke symptoms. Learn what causes a stroke including high blood pressure and lifestyle factors.
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Symptoms and Risk Factors
The symptoms of a stroke usually appear suddenly. Recognizing the signs of a stroke immediately is vital for survival and recovery. The most common method to identify these symptoms is the acronym FAST. This stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. If you see a person’s face drooping on one side, if they cannot lift both arms, or if their speech is slurred, it is time to call emergency services.
Beyond FAST, there are other important stroke symptoms to watch for. These include sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech. A person might experience sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination are also red flags. A sudden, severe headache with no known cause is particularly common in hemorrhagic strokes.
Common indicators include:
Understanding what causes a stroke is essential for prevention. The primary cause depends on the type of stroke. Ischemic strokes are caused by blocked arteries. This blockage is usually due to a blood clot or the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This plaque can break off and travel to the brain, or cause a clot to form directly at the site of narrowing.
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by leaking or bursting blood vessels. The most common cause of this rupture is uncontrolled high blood pressure, which weakens the artery walls over time. Other causes include aneurysms, which are ballooning weak spots in arteries, and arteriovenous malformations. Head trauma and overdosing on blood thinning medication can also cause bleeding in the brain.
It is important to distinguish heat stroke symptoms from brain stroke symptoms, although both are medical emergencies. Heat stroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. It is not a blockage of blood flow to the brain like an ischemic stroke.
Symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature (104 F or higher), altered mental state or behavior, alteration in sweating, nausea and vomiting, and flushed skin. While both conditions can cause confusion and collapse, heat stroke is typically associated with a hot environment and physical exertion, whereas a brain stroke can happen at any time and usually involves focal neurological deficits like one sided weakness.
The risk factors for ischemic stroke are largely related to cardiovascular health. High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor. It damages arteries throughout the body so they can burst or clog more easily. High cholesterol is another major factor, as it contributes to the formation of plaque in the arteries.
Smoking is a significant risk factor because it thickens the blood and increases the buildup of plaque. Diabetes increases the risk because high blood sugar damages blood vessels over time. Obesity and physical inactivity are also linked to an increased risk. Additionally, irregular heart rhythms, particularly atrial fibrillation, can cause clots to form in the heart and travel to the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke shares some risk factors with ischemic stroke, but has some unique ones as well. Uncontrolled hypertension is the biggest culprit. The constant high pressure weakens the vessel walls until they rupture. Excessive alcohol consumption is also strongly linked to this type of stroke.
Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine can cause sudden, severe elevations in blood pressure that lead to hemorrhage. Certain blood conditions or the use of anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) can increase the risk of bleeding. Structural abnormalities in the brain’s blood vessels, like aneurysms, are often congenital risk factors.
Some risk factors for stroke cannot be controlled. Age is a major factor; the chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55. Gender also plays a role. Men have a higher risk of having a stroke than women, but women are more likely to die from a stroke.
Race and ethnicity are significant. African Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of stroke than people of other races. This is partly due to higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity in these populations. Family history is also important; if a parent, grandparent, or sibling has had a stroke, your risk is higher.
Certain lifestyle choices act as triggers or cumulative causes for stroke. A diet high in salt contributes to high blood pressure. A diet high in saturated and trans fats raises cholesterol. Excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of irregular heartbeats.
Lack of exercise leads to weight gain and poor cardiovascular health. Stress is another factor; chronic stress can lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure and unhealthy coping habits like smoking or overeating. Addressing these lifestyle factors is the most effective way to prevent a stroke.
A silent stroke is a stroke that does not have any outward symptoms associated with a stroke. The patient is often unaware they have suffered a stroke. However, it still causes damage to the brain and places the person at increased risk for both a major stroke and dementia in the future.
These strokes are often discovered incidentally during an MRI or CT scan performed for another reason. They usually affect smaller blood vessels and small areas of the brain. While “silent,” the cumulative effect of multiple silent strokes can lead to significant cognitive decline and physical issues over time.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a specific type of irregular heartbeat that is a massive risk factor for stroke. In AFib, the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating effectively. This allows blood to pool and clot inside the heart.
If a piece of this clot breaks off, it can travel directly to the brain, causing a severe embolic stroke. Strokes caused by AFib tend to be more severe and have worse outcomes than other ischemic strokes. Treating AFib with blood thinners significantly reduces this risk.
Women may experience slightly different stroke symptoms than men. While they still experience the classic signs like face drooping and arm weakness, they may also report non traditional symptoms. These can lead to delays in diagnosis.
Unique symptoms reported by women include:
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