Imagine that you are at a graduation party or other important family event. As you sit chatting with guests and enjoying a slice of cake, you suddenly feel a wave of symptoms set in. One side of your face goes numb and you can no longer speak or understand what is being spoken to you. Flustered, you try to stand but lose your balance and fall to the ground. Would you recognize the signs of a stroke? Would those around you know what to do?
In recognition of May being American Stroke Month, we spoke with Nojan Valadi, M.D., a stroke neurologist at East Alabama Medical Center, about the importance of stroke awareness. He offered some insight and tips on how to recognize, prevent and recover from a stroke.
Q: What is a stroke?
Dr. Valadi: A stroke occurs when a clot in a blood vessel causes lack of blood flow to the brain and therefore the death of brain cells, or because of rupture of a blood vessel in the brain causing brain injury. The symptoms associated with a stroke correlate directly with the part of the brain that is affected. Different areas control movement, sensation, vision, speech, or coordination. Stroke causes damage to a portion of the brain that results in that area no longer working as well as before. This can cause problems—sometimes permanent—with walking, speaking, seeing or feeling.
Q: Why is stroke awareness so important?
Dr. Valadi: Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and here in the Southeast, it happens more than anywhere else in our country. With a little bit of education on how we can prevent stroke as well as how to react to a stroke when it is happening, we can all contribute to changing that harrowing statistic. It is crucial that we all know how to recognize a stroke and what steps to take, because quick actions can be the difference between life, death, or disability. We often think of strokes as just happening to older people, but anyone can have a stroke. There is no age limit. By taking steps to reduce our risk of stroke, and the risk of those around us, we can be better equipped to prevent this deadly or disabling condition from affecting our lives.
Q: How can people recognize a stroke?
Dr. Valadi: A good way to recognize a stroke is to look for the signs by using the “B.E. F.A.S.T” test. This acronym stands for balance, eyes, face, arms, speech and time and can be used to check for signs of a stroke. Stroke causes any combination of these symptoms, with a sudden onset.
For BALANCE, check if the person is having difficulty balancing or walking. For EYES, see if the person has encountered any double vision or loss of vision. For FACE, ask the person to smile and see if one side of their face is drooping. For ARMS, ask the person to raise their arms. Is one arm weaker than the other? For SPEECH, ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and check if their speech is slurred, or if they have a hard time speaking altogether. And finally, TIME is to remind you that time lost is brain lost, and to call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke.
Q: What steps should you take if you recognize someone is having a stroke?
Dr. Valadi: If you spot the signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else, it is imperative that you immediately call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. This is the best and fastest way to receive care. Do not try to drive yourself or someone who is having a stroke. Time is of the essence during a stroke, and emergency medical personnel are trained to provide care during situations such as a stroke while they transport patients to the hospital for further care.
Q: Can a stroke be prevented?
Dr. Valadi: While some risk factors such as age, gender and race cannot be changed, there are some factors you can take into your own hands to reduce your risk of stroke. Eating a balanced diet that is low in salt and fat can lower your risk of stroke. Quitting smoking will immediately lower your risk of stroke as smoking can damage blood vessels and that process stops as soon as you stop. Physical activity helps reduce your risk of stroke, and something as simple as a 30-minute walk can help reduce your risk.
Other controllable factors such high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can be managed with the help of a physician. This is why it is important to see your primary care provider regularly so that such risk factors can be identified and appropriately treated, to help you reduce your risk of stroke.
Q: What are some of the long-term effects of a stroke?
Dr. Valadi: A stroke can cause lifelong effects such as paralysis, numbness, inability to walk, talk or see. These effects can result in a major loss of independence for the affected person. By acting fast in the event of a stroke, we can prevent or reverse damage caused and increase the chances of a full recovery. The faster you can get to our stroke center, the more we can do for you or your loved one.
Q: How can you recover from a stroke?
Dr. Valadi: Stroke survivors can recover through medical therapy to prevent complications and recurrence, as well as rehabilitation with speech, physical and occupational therapy to work on improvement in function with the goal of returning to home and work.
