Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally. It can happen to anyone at any age, and impacts everyone: survivors, family and friends, workplaces and communities. From making individual changes, to advocating globally and locally for policies that will deliver healthier communities, we can all do something to prevent stroke.
Stroke Warning Signs
Call your emergency medical services and get to a hospital right away!
If you answer yes to any of these questions, act FAST and call for medical emergency help immediately.
Stroke is always a medical emergency. Remembering the signs of stroke and acting FAST could mean saving a life.
If you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Call your emergency medical services and get to a hospital right away!
Learn the warning signs of stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Take action in an emergency
- Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away!
- Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this important question later.
- If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Seek immediate medical attention!
- If you're with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call one of the emergency rescue service numbers. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.
The FAST test
Facial weakness, arm weakness and speech difficulties are common signs of stroke. You can use the FAST test to remember the signs of stroke
The FAST test involves asking three simple questions:
- Face – Can the person smile, has their mouth drooped?
- Arms – Can the person raise both arms?
- Speech – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
- Time – Act FAST!
Stroke is always a medical emergency. Remembering the signs of stroke and acting FAST could mean saving a life.
What causes stroke
- High blood pressure (Hypertension is the most common and treatable risk factor in stroke)
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Sedentary life style
- Atrial fibrillation
Stroke warning signs
- Heart disease
- Carotid artery disease
- Alcohol
It is possible to prevent stroke
- Good control of blood pressure
- Good control of diabetes
- Lower cholesterol
- Regular exercise
- Quit smoking
- Lose weight
- Never ignore a small stroke
Nutrition Tips for Stroke Survivors
Healthy food habits can help reduce risk factors for stroke — poor cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and excess weight. Diets high in saturated fat and trans fat can raise blood cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium can contribute to increased blood pressure, and high-calorie diets can contribute to obesity. A diet with five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk of stroke.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association offers these recommendations for a healthy diet:
1. Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
2. Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
3. Eat fish at least twice a week.
4. Limit saturated fat and trans fat. Avoiding partially hydrogenated oils will reduce trans fats.
5. Choose lean meats and poultry, and prepare them without using saturated or trans fats.
6. Select low-fat dairy products.
7. Cut back on drinks and foods with added sugars. The AHA recommends that no more than half of your discretionary calories should come from added sugars. For most American women, the discretionary calorie allowance is no more than 100 calories and no more than 150 calories for men.
8. Choose and prepare foods with little salt (sodium). The AHA recommends consuming less than 1500 mg of sodium a day.
9. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Limit yourself to one drink per day if you’re a non-pregnant woman or two drinks if you’re a man.
To Get the Nutrition You Need
To Get the Nutrition You Need
Some stroke survivors have a loss of appetite. For others, eating may be difficult due to swallowing problems or limited hand or arm movement. In any case, talk to your healthcare team to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. To make eating a little easier again, try these steps:
- Choose healthy foods with stronger flavors, such as broiled fish and citrus fruits. Also, spices add flavor to food and serve as a good substitute for salt.
- Choose colorful, visually appealing foods, such as salmon, carrots and dark green vegetables.
- Cut foods into small pieces to make them easier to chew.
- Pick softer, easier-to-chew foods, such as yogurt, bananas, whole-grain hot cereals, and low sodium soups.
- If you have trouble swallowing, talk to your speech therapist or doctor. This condition can be treated.
- If weakness in arms or hands is a problem, you might try adaptive eating utensils. Some types of flatware have thicker handles that are easier to hold, and “rocker knives” make it possible to cut food using one hand.
Making Mealtime Easier
When stroke survivors have lost their appetites, caregivers can help by:
- Sharing meals with the survivor at regular times during the day.
- Setting a leisurely pace for the meal.
- Serving foods that the survivor wants.
- Encouraging healthy snacks or small meals throughout the day.
- Reducing distractions during meals.
- Watching for any problems the survivor may have with chewing or swallowing.
Resources
1. World Stroke Day
2. Harvard Heart Letter, DASH diet may lower stroke risk1. World Stroke Day
