Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between life and death, or the difference between saving and losing vital brain cells that help you function.

Early warning signs of stroke that you need to know

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death [https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm] 
in the US, and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States.
However, most of the population do not know the warning signs of a stroke.

Both men and women can suffer from a stroke, but warning signs may differ by
gender. Strokes
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/can-stress-cause-a-stroke-the-answer-may-shock-you] 
have historically been shown to be more fatal for women although more men tend
to experience them at a younger age.



Why do I need to know the early warning signs of stroke?
Have you ever wondered what it may look or feel like when a person is having a
stroke? A stroke can happen to anyone at any time; it will not stop to think
about whether you are in the middle of working, grocery shopping, or driving.
Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between life and death, or the
difference between saving and losing vital brain cells that help you function.
That is why it is so important to recognize the signs and act quickly.

It is very important to receive medical attention as soon as you exhibit any of
these warning signs as each second is crucial for survival. A stroke is a severe
medical emergency and if a person does not receive medical attention right away
they are at greater risk for permanent brain damage or death.

If a stroke is treated quickly, doctors are able to administer Tissue
Plasminogen Activator (tPA)
[https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199512143332401], a medication that
helps dissolve blood clots. tPA can help decrease the amount of damage done
after sustaining a stroke, but can only be administered within 3 hours of
showing warning signs. Therefore it is very important to get help as quickly as
you can in order to allow for the most successful recovery!

The more familiar you are with the warning signs, the sooner you can get help
and the sooner you get help, the higher the chances are of survival.


Early warning signs of stroke
One of the easiest ways to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke is to
think: BE FAST.

PRINT OUT THE PICTURE BELOW AND KEEP IT IN A VISIBLE SPACE

B - Balance
E - Eyes

F - Face
A - Arm
S - Speech
T - Time


Now let’s break these down one by one to help each one stand out in your mind.

 1. Balance Loss
    This refers to new unsteadiness or difficulty staying upright and in control
    of your body’s position. Some people may experience dizziness that makes
    them feel “weird” like they can’t quite stand up or sit up correctly. Some
    feel as though they can’t quite get solid footing, or that their bodies
    aren’t reacting quickly enough with a change in position or movement.
    Sometimes muscles just can’t quite coordinate or work right while standing,
    sitting, or walking.
    
    This symptom may feel like someone is sweeping the rug out from beneath you,
    or that you are stepping off of a boat and can’t find equilibrium quickly
    enough. Often, people feel the need to grasp at other objects, lean against
    something, or sit down to help with the feeling of falling. It is easy to
    pass these strange feelings off with thoughts like, “I’m just tired from
    things happening in my life, so this must be my body’s response,” or “maybe
    I didn’t drink enough water or eat enough breakfast.” DON’T ignore your body
    when it doesn’t feel right! A change in balance could mean a stroke - call
    9-1-1.
    
    
 2. Eyesight Changes
    If you suddenly have changes in your vision, this may be a sign to take
    action by getting yourself checked out right away. This symptom is not
    referring to the gradual changes that take place as we age, rather sudden
    changes that have no obvious explanation. A change in vision or a change in
    one or both eyes can mean different things for each person. You may
    experience sudden blurriness, double vision, difficulty reading, or
    confusion with written words. This symptom may be more of a
    dizziness-related feeling, with the world spinning around you. When in
    doubt, check it out!
    
    
 3. Face Drooping
    Sometimes when a person is experiencing the start of a stroke, his or her
    face may become asymmetrical or uneven. Often, one side of the face will
    become numb, tingly, or “droopy.” A quick and effective way to check for
    this is to try to smile a big smile while looking in the mirror (or if you
    suspect someone else is experiencing a stroke, ask that person to smile
    while you observe). If the smile is noticeably uneven from one side to the
    other, get help. Another quick check is to try to shut both eyes as tightly
    as you can and have someone check to see if one eye is not closing as firmly
    as the other. Remember, some faces are a bit asymmetrical to start with -
    this symptom refers to something that is brand new for that person.
    
    
 4. Arm Weakness
    Sudden weakness, numbness, tingling, or even paralysis of a body part is one
    sign that a stroke may be happening. This is often most noticeable on one
    side of the body (for example, the right arm and leg). A quick check for
    this is raising both arms at the same time; if one arm drops down or can’t
    be moved to the same height as the other, get checked out quickly. Remember
    that each person experiences a stroke differently: while one person may have
    weakness or a “strange” feeling in her left arm and leg, another may have
    more obvious paralysis, and only in his right arm. If something is different
    or doesn’t feel right, get it checked by a doctor right away.
    
    
 5. Speech Difficulty
    When a person suddenly has trouble talking or understanding a conversation,
    it can indicate the beginning of a stroke. This symptom can also vary from
    person to person and may look or sound like confusion, slurred speech, using
    incorrect words in a sentence, being hard to understand while having a
    conversation, or not being able to speak at all. A quick check for this is
    to ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If he or she can’t repeat 5-6
    words clearly, correctly, or in the right order, get help.
    
    
 6. Time to Call 911!
    The most important part about recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke
    is knowing that “time is the brain.” The faster a person receives medical
    help, the faster he or she can be evaluated and treated. Even if the signs
    or symptoms that were noticed seem to be going away, call 9-1-1 and get help
    right away. Once a stroke starts, a part of the brain is being starved of
    oxygen and brain cells are starting to die. The longer this lasts, the
    longer that part of the brain is being injured, and the greater the effects
    to the rest of the body as a result.





Recurrence of stroke and prevention
If you think you are having a stroke, or that someone near you is having a
stroke, first call 9-1-1 immediately. Tell the operator that you are thinking
stroke, and let the emergency personnel handle the rest. Do not attempt to drive
yourself to the hospital, because there’s no way to tell what other symptoms you
may experience on the way or how safe you will be. If you are helping someone
else who may be having a stroke, make sure the person is safe, (lying down on
the floor to prevent falling!) that you are nearby watching for new symptoms,
and that the paramedics can get to you easily. Strokes are scary, but knowing
when one may be happening and what to do about it is powerful and important for
saving a life.


Having a stroke puts you at further risk for future strokes. It's important to
be aware of the early warning signs and to take active steps to prevent future
strokes.


STROKE PREVENTION STRATEGIES

 1. STOP SMOKING
 2. TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN
 3. STAY ACTIVE!
 4. EAT FOODS WITH LOW CHOLESTEROL, TRANS, AND SATURATED FATS
 5. DRINK ALCOHOL IN MODERATION

Check out more information about how to prevent stroke on preventing another
stroke. [https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/how-can-i-prevent-having-another-stoke]



 * Further Reading: 5 symptoms of a left side stroke of the brain
   [https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/5-symptoms-left-side-stroke-brain]


--

If you have had a stroke and are looking for an effective solution for your
rehabilitation needs, please look into Neofect's line of Smart Rehabilitation
Solutions [https://www.neofect.com/us].

To learn more, please call (888) 623-8984 or email contactus@neofect.com.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.

References

 * Duke Health
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/dukehealth.org]
 * American Stroke Association
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/stroke.org]
 * Mayo Clinic
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/mayoclinic.org]
 * Benjamin, E. J. et al. (2019) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019
   Update: A Report From the American Heart Association
   [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000659]. Circulation
 * Focht, K. L., Gogue, A. M., White, B. M., & Ellis, C. (2014). Gender
   differences in stroke recognition among stroke survivors
   [https://alliedhealth.ceconnection.com/files/GenderDifferencesinStrokeRecognitionAmongStrokeSurvivors-1412955098269.pdf]
   . The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association
   of Neuroscience Nurses, 46(1), 18-22; quiz 22, E1-2. doi:
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000026
 * Think FAST to recall the warning signs of a stroke. (2014, 04). Harvard
   Health Publications.Harvard Heart Letter, Retrieved from 
   https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/think-fast-to-recall-the-warning-signs-of-a-stroke
 * https://www.stroke.org/we-can-help/survivors/stroke-recovery/first-steps-to-recovery/preventing-another-stroke/
 * https://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-of-stroke/women-and-stroke/
 * https://www.stroke.org/we-can-help/survivors/stroke-recovery/first-steps-to-recovery/preventing-another-stroke/
 * https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350119

early warning signs of stroke

Research suggests an association between COVID-19 and stroke in young adults. Read more on how the novel coronavirus could increase stroke risk, symptoms to recognize, and why you should always take an ambulance in the event of a medical emergency.

COVID-19 and Stroke in Young Adults: Know the Signs to Save a Life

Our understanding of COVID-19 evolves with each passing week of the global
pandemic. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added
six additional symptoms
[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/health/coronavirus-symptoms-cdc.html] of the
novel coronavirus to its growing list. With worldwide cases now surpassing 3
million, another concerning association has emerged: COVID-19 may increase risk
of stroke in adults under 50 years old.

Emerging association between COVID-19 and young stroke
A physician group from Mount Sinai Hospital System in New York recently
published a report [https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2009787?query=RP] 
concerning a two-week period in March in which five adults under age 50
presented with symptoms of acute stroke. All were subsequently diagnosed with
COVID-19. This figure constitutes a greater than fivefold increase of
large-vessel stroke in adults under 50 than seen in previous weeks within the
hospital system.

On average, the five cases presented to the hospital with severe stroke (NIHSS
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-is-the-national-institutes-of-health-stroke-scale-nihss] 
= 17). Two of the five adults in this cohort had no significant medical history
or known risk factors for stroke. Four of the five presented to the hospital
eight or more hours after initial onset of stroke symptoms. A Mount Sinai
physician who had worked with these patients stated that two reportedly delayed
calling an ambulance
[https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/22/health/strokes-coronavirus-young-adults/index.html]
.



How can COVID-19 cause a stroke?
It is thought that COVID-19 promotes vascular inflammation and increased blood
coagulability, leading to blood clot formation. If a clot blocks a major artery,
it can obstruct blood flow and cause tissue death in the form of a stroke or
heart attack. Recent studies from the Netherlands
[https://www.thrombosisresearch.com/article/S0049-3848(20)30120-1/fulltext] and 
China [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3550025] have also
noted an increased incidence of stroke and blood clotting-related complications
among adult COVID-19 patients.

Worries about burdening the healthcare system or thoughts that "it can't happen
to me" might have caused some of the Mount Sinai patients to defer medical
attention. Their stories serve as a cautionary tale for other young adults
navigating the pandemic: be prepared to recognize and respond to stroke symtoms
during this time of elevated risk.



BE FAST to recognize stroke symptoms
Every second counts in recognizing a stroke, as a vessel-blocking clot can cause
millions of brain cells to die per minute. The BE FAST acronym is any easy way
to remember stroke symptoms and the need to take action. Memorize the
information below, and know that one does not have to be experiencing all
symptoms to be having a stroke.

Balance loss including unsteadiness, tripping, or falling
Eyesight changes like blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss
Facial drooping or inability to maintain a symmetrical smile
Arm weakness presenting as clumsiness or partial to total inability to move
Slurred speech including difficulty forming words or speaking altogether
Time to call 911!



Monitor COVID-19 symptoms and know the emergency warning signs
The CDC states that most cases of COVID-19 are mild
[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html] and
recommends monitoring symptoms of the condition. Individuals who are
experiencing severe or concerning symptoms or suspect exposure to COVID-19 are
advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately for further direction.

COVID-19 symptoms:
 * Cough
 * Shortness of breath
 * Fever
 * Chills
 * Repeated shaking with chills
 * Muscle pain
 * Headache
 * Sore throat
 * New loss of taste or smell

The CDC also describes emergency warning signs of severe illness. If you are
experiencing any of the symptoms below, call 911 immediately.

Seek medical attention for emergency warning signs:
 * Trouble breathing
 * Persistent chest pain or pressure
 * New-onset confusion or difficulty to wake
 * Blue-tinged lips or face



Always take an ambulance during an emergency
If you experience stroke symptoms or COVID-19 emergency warning signs, opt for
ambulance transport to the hospital instead of self-transport. Delay in
hospitalization during a medical emergency is associated with increased
mortality across health conditions
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2464671/].

Research examining acute stroke patients' motives for self-transport to the
hospital [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/str.50.suppl_1.WMP93] sheds
light on why some defer calling 911. Subjects cited the desire to go to a
particular hospital, not realizing the situation was an emergency, and belief
that car transport would be faster among their reasons to drive themselves or
get a ride.

Ambulance transport is the fastest and safest route to the hospital. Do not
gamble with your prognosis or the lives of others on the road by taking a car.
Although this advice is important for all age groups, it is increasingly
relevant for adults under age 50. Knowing the symptoms and correct response to
COVID-19-related emergencies can make the difference between life and death.

Further Reading:
How to Spot and Prevent Blood Clots
[https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/01/how-spot-prevent-deep-vein-thrombosis]
What to Do If You Have COVID-19 and When to Call 911
[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html]