Stroke Symptoms, Types and Side Effects

How do i know if I’m at risk for a stroke?

Strokes are more likely to occur in people with certain risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of having a stroke. Major risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Age and gender
• Race and ethnicity
• Family history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Brain aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations

Other stroke risk factors include:

• Lack of physical activity
• Weight and obesity
• Stress and depression
• Alcohol and illegal drug use
• Poor cholesterol levels
• Unhealthy diet
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell disease, vasculitis and other bleeding disorders

Fortunately, many of these risk factors can be managed with lifestyle changes. If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to lower your stroke risk.

What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of a stroke are the same for men and women. Recognizing the warning signs can help reduce brain damage and save lives. Symptoms often come on suddenly and include:

• Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, leg or body 
• Difficulty understanding speech, confusion or trouble speaking
• Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Trouble walking, loss of balance, lack of coordination or dizziness

If you experience these symptoms - or notice them in someone else—seek emergency medical help immediately. A stroke is a medical emergency and early treatment is critical. Stroke treatments work best when administered within three hours of the first symptoms.

A helpful way to remember stroke symptoms is by using the F.A.S.T. method:

• Face: Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is their smile uneven?
• Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Have the person raise both arms—does one drift downward?
• Speech: Is speech slurred, or is the person hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
• Time to call 911: If any of these symptoms are present, even if they go away, call 911 immediately. 

What are the different types of strokes?

There are three main types of strokes:

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Also known as a mini-stroke, a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Symptoms are brief but should not be ignored, as TIAs often serve as a warning of a future stroke.

Ischemic Stroke

The most common type of stroke, an ischemic stroke, occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain. 

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures. High blood pressure and aneurysms are common causes. There are two types:

• Intracerebral hemorrhage: Bleeding occurs directly into a part of the brain, damaging nearby tissue.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering it. 

Stroke side effects

A stroke can have lasting effects if not treated quickly. Because the brain controls essential functions such as movement, speech and breathing, a stroke can impact many areas of life. Potential side effects include:

• Numbness, pain or reduced sensation in parts of the body
• Paralysis, often affecting one side of the face or body
• Difficulty reading, writing or understanding speech
• Behavioral changes, including depression or anxiety

If you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. The first 24 hours are critical for treatment and recovery. The compassionate team at Banner Brain & Spine is here to provide expert care and support.