Understanding Stroke and TIA: Fast Action for a Healthier Tomorrow

Written By Ryan Davies

A stroke is an acute medical emergency that is life-threatening and occurs when part of the brain is starved of oxygen due to either a blood clot or a bleed (hemorrhage).

A TIA or ‘transient ischemic attack’ is sometimes referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’. Transient ischaemic attacks tend to resolve themselves within 24 hours.

However, it is not possible to tell whether someone is having a TIA or a stroke as the symptoms are very similar and it is still a very serious event.

Dial 999 if you experience any of the following. Remember the acronym FAST

F – The FACE may begin to droop on one side and you may lose the ability to move that side of the face

A – You may be unable to lift one or both of your ARMS as they may be too weak or numb

S – Your SPEECH may become slurred, you may lose the ability to talk and you may become confused

T – TIME to call 999 immediately, the faster you get medical attention the better the outcome

FACE ARMS SPEECH TIME

Top Tips to Stay Healthy

You can lower your risk of stroke by controlling some of the risk factors that increase the chance of stroke. This includes:

  • Stopping smoking – smoking doubles your risk of dying from stroke

  • Control blood pressure by keeping active for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (or 75 minutes of intense activity) per week and reducing stress.

  • Managing weight by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of fruit and vegetables

  • Limiting alcohol intake to 14 units or less per week (spread evenly throughout the week)

  • Keeping cholesterol in check – high cholesterol increases the chances of stroke

Advice

Recovering from stroke can be incredibly difficult and depending on the extent of damage to the brain there can be long-term complications.

For more information on recovery after stroke including the support you will receive and for help getting the right care after discharge see the Stroke Association.

Check out the QRISK calculator – this tool allows you to enter your details and will tell you your risk of stroke. You can see in facts and figures the impact of weight loss and stopping smoking by playing around with the calculator. If your score is 10% or more you should seek advice from your GP. You should seriously consider lifestyle modification to lower your risk and you may be offered a statin (cholesterol lowering medication). Note: this may not be reliable if you’re not sure of your cholesterol level (only available via blood test)!

The risk of stroke increases as we age, however many people have been affected by stroke at a young age. For some inspiring survivor stories and access to a support network visit different strokes.

Sources

Ryan Davies

Pharmacist

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