South Africa celebrated World Stroke Week between 29 October and 3 November by educating its citizens about the dangers, signs and aftermath of having a stroke.

ER24 urged people to pay special attention to the signs of the condition.

A stroke, which could lead to death or disability, occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off. There are two types of stroke – once called an ischemic stroke and the other called a hemorrhagic stroke. The first of these is the most common.

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the path of blood moving through the blood vessels in the brain.

The blood clot usually forms in an artery in the brain or travels to the brain from another part of the body.

A hemorrhagic stroke is less common, but more likely to be fatal. The blood vessels in the brain leak or rupture and cause bleeding.

Main causes of a stroke:

• hypertension (also referred to as high blood pressure)
• diabetes
• high cholesterol levels
• smoking
• excessive alcohol intake
• heart disease
• stress

If recognised and treated early, a person’s chances of surviving and recovering could increase substantially.
Strokes are common and serious, and affect thousands of South Africans each year.

If you suspect you are, or someone else is, having a stroke, conduct the FAST test. The FAST test entails the following:

• Face – Is one side of the person’s face drooping? The person should smile or show his/ her teeth. If one side is drooping, he/ she could be having a stroke.
• Arm – The person should keep his/ her arms raised for a few seconds. If one arm drifts down or is weak, he/ she could be having a stroke.
• Speech – The person should try to speak. If there is slurring or if the person struggles to understand or repeat any sentence, he/ she could be having a stroke.
• Time – If the person experiences any of the above, call emergency services immediately.

Immediate and appropriate care can improve a patient’s chances of full recovery. Strokes can be reversed if treated before the affected brain tissue dies.

It is vital that people live a healthier lifestyle to reduce the chances of having a stroke. Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, making the right food choices (such as reducing salt and sugar intake), and including moderate exercise into your daily routine can make a positive difference.

See also:

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