55+ Seniors, are you Prepared for a Stroke?

These days, you don’t have to be of a certain age to get a stroke. Even 30-year-olds are falling prey to this “silent killer”. If you are over 55, and lead a sedentary lifestyle, or suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, then you are at high risk of getting a stroke. The best thing to do, now that you are aware of it, be prepared and practice stroke prevention.

What is a Stroke?

You may know what a stroke is, but some may not be aware of exactly what a stroke is and how it occurs. A stroke occurs due to an interruption or failure of blood circulation to the brain. Decreased blood flow prevents oxygen from entering the brain cells resulting in a stroke. A stroke can occur in two ways. One is caused by a blockage of blood flow and the other is caused by excessive bleeding. Approximately 80% of strokes occur due to a blockage of a blood vessel. This is referred to as an ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke can occur in three ways. It can be due to the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessel of the brain or neck (thrombosis), the movement of a blood clot from another part of the body to the neck or brain (embolism), severe narrowing of an artery leading to the brain causing a lack of blood flow (stenosis). The second type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke which occurs due to bleeding in the brain or the spaces surrounding the brain.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

If you are getting a stroke, you will know it. There are several clues sent by your body when you lack oxygen to the brain. If you experience any of these warning signs, call 911 immediately. Do not wait!

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially one side of the body.
• Sudden inability to speak or understand what is happening.
• Sudden inability to see through one or both eyes.
• Trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, or dizziness.
• Severe headaches for no apparent reason.

You may also experience sudden nausea and vomiting, double vision or drowsiness, or both. Sometimes, these warning signs may disappear after a few moments. You should not ignore these symptoms. This is your body’s way of warning you that something is wrong. Pay attention to it as you have just had a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Treatable Risk Factors

A stroke is preventable. For example, if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, treating these diseases helps you prevent the onset of a stroke. Another risk factor for a stroke is smoking. So, if you smoke, stop now. You can prevent the onset of a stroke by paying attention to the warning signs of a stroke and taking care of the treatable risk factors. Exercise and a balanced diet also reduce your risk of a stroke.

A stroke can either kill you or disable you. So, isn’t it better to take care not to get one?

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