When it comes to our health and wellbeing, it’s so important for us to do everything in our power to lead a healthy lifestyle and keep ourselves as fit and healthy as possible.

Poor dietary and lifestyle choices can increase our risk of suffering from a wide range of different health issues and ailments, including a stroke.

Strokes can strike without warning and can affect people of all ages, genders, shapes, and sizes. Strokes can be debilitating, life-altering, and even fatal. This is why it pays to learn more about them. The more we understand about strokes, the more we can do to prevent them and recover from them.

 

To help you to learn more, here is an in-depth guide looking at everything there is to know about strokes.

 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency that is caused in a variety of ways and can affect the brain in several ways and can potentially be fatal.

There are two different types of stroke: Haemorrhagic stroke and Ischaemic stroke.

 

Ischaemic stroke

An Ischaemic stroke is the most common form of stroke and is likely the main type of stroke that springs to mind when people talk about this specific type of medical issue.

A stroke, or rather, an Ischaemic stroke, occurs when a blood clot forms which blocks the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain. Without oxygen, the brain, which is an organ like any other, suffers serious damage and results in a stroke.

Blood clots typically form in parts of the arteries which are already narrower than they should be or where they have been blocked by LDL cholesterol build-ups and fatty deposits called plaques. The technical term for this condition is atherosclerosis, which can also be very serious, even if it doesn’t lead to a stroke.

A slightly less common cause of an Ischaemic stroke is a heart issue known as atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat. This can cause blood clots that form in the heart to become broken up, enter the bloodstream, and block the blood vessels which transport oxygenated blood to the brain.

 

Haemorrhagic stroke

A Haemorrhagic stroke is far less common than an Ischaemic stroke but no less dangerous.

These types of strokes occur when blood vessels located inside the skull rupture and cause bleeding into and around the brain.

The primary cause of a Haemorrhagic stroke is actually hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Hypertension causes damage to the blood vessels and arteries and weakens them. As they weaken, they become far more likely to burst or rupture.

 

What are the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke?

A stroke has the potential to be fatal, but even if not, it can still be incredibly debilitating and potentially life-altering.

Sometimes people affected by a stroke may not even be aware they’re suffering one, which is why you should pay attention to other people around you and be aware of some of the physical signs and symptoms of a stroke.

 

Common signs and symptoms include the following:

Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg

One of the most common tell-tale signs of a stroke is paralysis or numbness of the face and/or arm and/or leg.

Typically, this can cause one side of the face to droop and the person affected by struggle to walk or lift one of their arms.

If you suspect you may be suffering a stroke, try to lift both of your arms up and over your head. If you’re only able to lift one, this could be a sign of a stroke.

 

Difficulty speaking

Another common sign that a person is suffering a stroke is difficulty speaking.

Strokes can affect speech, and people affected may slur their words as if they were incredibly drunk. Strokes can also affect people’s understanding and basic cognitive functions, so those affected may experience some confusion.

 

Headache

A severe headache which comes on suddenly and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and/or dizziness is another sign to watch out for.

 

Blurred vision

If you experience trouble seeing out of one or both eyes suddenly and without warning, this could be another sign of a stroke.

In some instances, you may even start seeing double.

 

Difficulty walking

Again, due to the numbness/paralysis affecting one side of the body, people with a stroke may find it difficult to walk as, essentially, only one leg will be working.

 

How to reduce your risk of a stroke

While you can’t guarantee that you’ll never experience a stroke, there are certainly plenty of things you can do to reduce your risk of suffering from a stroke.

These include:

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly
• Lower your blood pressure if it is high
• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or use drugs
• Eat healthy and nutritious food
• Cut way back on processed junk food and drink
• Take an aspirin a day if it is safe to do so, as this will thin your blood
• Exercise regularly
• Visit your GP regularly for health check-ups, even if you feel fine
• Monitor your sugar intake.