What are Strokes? FAST Facts on How to Prevent, Treat, and Manage A Stroke

Strokes happen fast and will often occur before an individual can be seen by a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Stroke is an medical emergency so Act FAST A simple FAST test can help you identify a stroke in yourself and others: F (Face): Ask the person to smile. Look for signs of drooping on one side A (Arms): Ask the person to raise their arms. Look for a downward drift on one side.(Image of a person's inability to raise arm) S (Speech): Ask the person to repeat a phrase without slurring. For example, you could have them say, “The early bird catches the worm.” T (Time): Immediately call doctor if you or someone else you know shows signs of a stroke. Preventing a stroke The best way to prevent a stroke is to address the underlying causes. This is best done by living healthily, which means: Eating a healthy diet Maintaining a healthy weight Exercise regularly Not smoking Avoiding alcohol or moderating consumption. Other measures taken to help reduce the risk of stroke include: Keeping blood pressure under control Managing diabetes well Treating obstructive sleep apnea (if present). As well as these lifestyle changes, a health care provider can help to reduce the risk of future strokes through prescribing anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication. In addition to this, the arterial surgery previously mentioned can also be used to lower the risk of repeat strokes Both ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes require different kinds of treatment. Ischemic stroke Ischemic strokes are caused by arteries being blocked or narrowed and so treatment focuses on restoring an adequate flow of blood to the brain.It accounts for 87 percent of all stroke cases tPA, the Gold Standard The only FDA approved treatment for ischemic strokes is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, also known as IV rtPA, given through an IV in the arm). Endovascular Procedures Another treatment option is an endovascular procedure* called mechanical thrombectomy, strongly recommended. The procedure should be done within six hours of acute stroke symptoms, and only after a patient receives tPA. Hemorrhagic stroke Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain and so treatment focuses on controlling the bleeding and reducing the pressure on the brain that it is causing. Treatment can begin with drugs being given to reduce the pressure in the brain, overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels. If the patient is taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication like Warfarin or Clopidogrel, they can be given drugs or blood transfusions to counter the medication's effects. Surgery can be used to repair any problems with blood vessels that have led or could lead to hemorrhagic strokes.