Stroke - Three Most Important Things You Need to Know to Reduce Your Risk

A stroke is a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) and it occurs when a blood vessel in the brain suddenly becomes blocked or bursts. When this happens, blood fails to flow to an area of the brain that supplies oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the brain cells and nerves will die, and abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. The affected patient can become paralysed, be unable to speak and even go into a coma - depending on where the stroke occurs and how much of the brain area is damaged. 

Stroke can happen to anyone at anytime, regardless of sex or age. Typically, stroke symptoms start suddenly - over seconds to minutes and in most cases, do not progress further. Approximately two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, and this will increase the risk of permanent damage, disability or death. Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults in the world today and one of the leading causes of death, after cancer and heart disease. Disability affects 75% of stroke survivors, which is enough to decrease their employability.  

The effects of stroke place a significant burden of care on the patient’s family and caregivers, as the affected patient often needs assistance in many of the daily activities of living which we take for granted, such as walking, eating, going to the toilet and talking.  

In addition to physical disabilities, 30% to 50% of stroke survivors suffer post stroke depression - characterized by irritability, lowered self-esteem, withdrawal symptoms and sleep disturbances. In some cases, depression can reduce motivation and worsen patient’s condition. 

The good news is that 80% of strokes are preventable! Recognizing the symptoms and acting fast in getting medical attention can help save lives and limit victim’s disabilities.  

There are three vital things to note about stroke in order to prevent being affected by this condition:
1) What are the risk factors of stroke?
2) What tests can be done to assess the risk?
3) What can be done to prevent a stroke?

1) Risk Factors - Stroke occurs more commonly in (a) men, (b) those who are above 50 years old, (c) fat and overweight, (d) have high blood pressure and/or diabetes, (e) smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, and are under stress, (f) do not exercise and (g) who have high salt, high fat diets. People with a history of heart disease or relatives with heart disease have a higher risk of stroke as well.  

2) Signs, Symptoms and Medical Tests - If you have one or some of the following signs or symptoms, even for a short time, you could be at risk of a stroke. These include sudden loss of vision, weakness of the face, an arm or leg, difficulty talking or understanding speech, severe headaches or dizziness or loss of balance. Tests such as the Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) should be done to look at the brain for signs of a stroke. Often, the doctor will also ask for an angiogram, such as a CT-angiogram or MR-angiogram to study the blood vessels, and/or a perfusion scan to assess the blood flow patterns. Various blood tests will also be needed to assess the overall risk of stroke.

A simple F.A.S.T test can also be used to help detect stroke symptoms early. This will allow for immediate and appropriate medical care, which can help lower death rates and level of disability from stroke.  

F = FACE. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?  

A = ARM. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?  

S = SPEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?  

T = TIME. If a person has trouble with any of these simple commands, emergency services should be called immediately. 
 

3) Stroke Prevention - If you have any of the risk factors described above, the doctor will advise you on how to reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Regular medical check-ups are needed to detect and treat high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and heart diseases. Lead a healthy lifestyle, do regular exercises, reduce stress and stop smoking, to prevent the onset of a stroke.  

“Sometimes, medication needs to be given, such as anti-platelet drugs or anti-coagulant drugs, to prevent blockage of a blood vessel. And if there are blood vessel abnormalities, which may lead to bleeding in the brain, then surgery may be needed”, said Dr Charles Siow, a neurologist for International Neuro Associates at Novena Medical Centre and East Shore Hospital, Singapore. 

Everyone has some stroke risk. While some factors are beyond your control, regular check-ups and early detection can help reduce the severity of stroke conditions, such as brain damage or even death. The Neurosurgery and Neurology Specialists of International Neuro Associates provide a stroke risk assessment consultancy service, where blood tests and radiological tests (Stroke Risk Screening Package) are performed to assess a patient’s risk of stroke.