Would you recognise someone having a stroke?
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, 10 people in SA suffer a stroke every hour.
FEW people can recognise when a person is having a stroke and on World Stroke Day, commemorated recently, the focus was on getting the public to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of stroke so that they can act fast in such an eventuality.
A stroke occurs when the supply of oxygenated blood to parts of the brain is disrupted either due to a burst blood vessel or a blood clot. Strokes may range in severity from so-called ‘mini strokes’, which may have only temporary effects, to life-changing disability or even sudden death.
Also read: Stroke awareness: What you need to know
“The golden rule when a person has a stroke is for them to get medical attention as soon as possible,” explained Dr Anchen Laubscher, medical director of Netcare Hospitals.
“When it comes to a possible case of stroke, think ‘FAST’. The acronym FAST can help you to remember what symptoms to look for and what to do in the event of a stroke,” she says.
*F for ‘Face drooping’ – facial muscles are weak, often causing one side of the face to droop.
*A for ‘Arm or leg weakness’ – the person may feel weak in one or both of their arms or legs, and may feel numb on one side of their body. They may also have poor coordination with difficulty walking or standing up and may appear drunk.
*S for ‘Speech difficulty’ – the person may slur words, use words incorrectly or not be able to speak.
*T for ‘Time to act call emergency medical services (Netcare 911 on 082 911) or take the individual to the nearest hospital.
“A person who is having a stroke may also experience a sudden severe headache, and sudden loss of vision or blindness in one or both eyes. Every stroke should be treated as a medical emergency, even ‘mini strokes’, also known as transient ischemic attacks, as these can signal that the individual could be at risk of a more serious stroke in the future,” Dr Laubscher added.
Also read:SA’s food obsession contributes to obesity
Factors that may increase one’s risk of stroke include
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Insufficient exercise
- Heavy drinking
- A diet high in fat (particularly saturated) and salt, but low in fibre, fruit and vegetables.
- obesity
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