The loss of blood flow to the brain damages tissues within the brain. Symptoms of a stroke show up in the body parts controlled by the damaged areas of the brain.

The sooner a person having a stroke gets care, the better their outcome is likely to be. For this reason, it’s helpful to know the signs of a stroke so you can act quickly. Stroke symptoms can include:

• paralysis
• numbness or weakness in the arm, face, and leg, especially on one side of the body (hemiparesis)
• trouble speaking or understanding others
• slurred speech
• confusion, disorientation, or lack of responsiveness
• sudden behavioural changes, especially increased agitation
• vision problems, such as trouble seeing in one or both eyes with vision blackened or blurred, or double vision
• trouble walking
• loss of balance or coordination
• dizziness
• severe, sudden headache with an unknown cause
• seizures
• nausea or vomiting

Remember what we`ve spoken about earlier this week, BE-FAST.

What are the risk factors for stroke?

Certain risk factors make you more susceptible to stroke, including:

• an unbalanced diet high in salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol
• physical inactivity
• heavy alcohol use
• tobacco use
• a family history of stroke
• increasing age

Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of stroke, including:

• a previous stroke or TIA
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• carrying too much excess weight
• heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease
• heart valve defects
• enlarged heart chambers and irregular heartbeats
• sickle cell disease
• diabetes
• blood clotting disorder
• patent foramen ovale (a hole in the heart that didn’t close the way it should after birth.)