The coronavirus pandemic continues to take center stage on global health attention as we roll through 2021. However, it is important to take time out to re-examine other serious health concerns like strokes. May is stroke awareness month, and stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide (AHA, 2021). The coronavirus has put a kink in how we deliver health care and those that are seeking it. Data from the CDC (2021) indicates that one out of every five people having either a heart attack or stroke have not come to the emergency department for care due to the concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Take into account that someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 40 seconds (AHA, 2021). That is a lot of people! The obvious problem with waiting is that the faster a person gets treatment when experiencing a heart attack or stroke, the greater the chances of not dying or experiencing permanent lifelong damages.
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A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes (CDC, 2021). A stroke is sometimes called a brain attack and it can happen in two ways:
| • | Ischemic stroke - when the blood supply to the brain is blocked (85 percent of strokes occur this way) |
| • | Hemorrhagic stroke - when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (15 percent of strokes occur this way) (ADA, 2021). |
A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.
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Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.
| • | Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
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| • | Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
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| • | Speech difficulties: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
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| • | Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately. (ADA, 2021). |
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| • | Sudden dizziness |
| • | Trouble walking |
| • | Loss of balance or coordination |
| • | Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes |
| • | Sudden severe headache with no known cause |
| • | Sudden numbness of face, arm or leg |
| • | Sudden confusion or trouble understanding others (CDC, 2021) |
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Risk factors include:
| • | Being overweight or obese |
| • | Physical inactivity |
| • | Drinking large amounts of alcohol |
| • | Smoking cigarettes |
| • | Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine or meth |
| • | High cholesterol |
| • | Diabetes |
| • | Sleep apnea |
| • | Family history of stroke |
| • | Personal history of stroke |
| • | Heart disease, including heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm and high blood pressure |
| • | Age - People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke |
| • | Race - African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than do people of other races |
| • | Sex - Men have a higher risk of stroke than women |
| • | Hormones - Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen increases risk (CDC, 2021). |
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The single most important way to reduce the risk of having a stroke is by making sure you have a normal blood pressure. If someone has high blood pressure and it is not managed, it can make them four to six times more likely to have a stroke (ADA, 2021). Other prevention measures include healthy lifestyle choices such as getting enough exercise, eating a healthy diet with large amounts of fruits and vegetables and not smoking.
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If you or someone you know is showing signs of a stroke don’t wait. When in doubt, patients should get checked out by a healthcare provider. There is no time to waste when dealing with a stroke. The risk of ignoring a stroke by not seeking medical attention is much worse than any risk of being exposed to coronavirus.
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