Today’s blog post is all about stroke – signs, risks, and types.
Signs
Many individuals don’t realize that they are having a stroke because they don’t know the signs. Therefore, it’s important that you know them.
Three signature signs are:
- facial drooping
- weakness on one side of your body
- slurred speech
Look out for these signs for yourself and your loved ones. Stroke can happen to anyone.
Risk Factors
Although many people believe that stroke only happens to seniors, that is not the case. In fact, there are many adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s having strokes. There are several risk factors that put you at a higher risk to have a stroke at any age.
Risk factors include
- obesity
- a sedentary lifestyle
- frequent consumption of drugs or alcohol (cigarettes also fall in this category)
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
Common Types of Stroke
Ischemic
An ischemic stroke is the most common and is the result of blocked or narrowed arteries
Hemorrhagic
A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a leak or rupture of a blood vessel
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A TIA (AKA “mini stroke”) is the result of a temporary blockage leading to a short period of stroke symptoms.
Be sure you always remember the signs and that you Act FAST. F for facial drooping, A for arm weakness, S for slurred speech, and T for time. The sooner you respond to the signs and symptoms and get yourself checked out, the better your odds are in the long term.
Please leave a comment below with any questions or comments you have regarding stroke. Visit our website and the Liberty Speech Associates YouTube channel for more information on stroke and other disabilities that can impact communication.