By Franklin Delgado
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a stroke can include loss of balance, weakness, confusion, and slurred speech. The American Stroke Association (ASA) highlights the acronym “BEFAST” as a method for identifying warning signs.
The key points of the BEFAST acronym, by its initials in English: B (loss of steadiness), E (change in vision), F (drooping face), A (weakness in one arm), S (difficulty speaking) and T (time to call 911).
Immediate actions
Medical experts, such as Dr. Marc Siegel, contributor to Fox Infoemphasize the importance of acting quickly in the event of a possible stroke.
It is advisable not to administer aspirin and to prioritize seeking emergency medical attention, since every minute counts.
“In medicine, we use the expression ‘time is brain,’” Siegel said. “This means that the faster the patient is brought to the emergency room, the faster they can receive emergency treatment, if necessary, to reopen the blocked brain artery, if one exists,” he explained.
Prevention and potential risks
The ASA indicates that 80% of strokes are preventable, highlighting the importance of managing risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that one in four survivors will face a second stroke in the next five years, underscoring the need for an effective prevention and treatment plan.
Risk factors
The most common risk factors that can lead to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) are divided into two groups: the ones you can change (modifiable) and the ones you can’t change (not modifiable).
Modifiable risk factors (that you can control) are:
- high blood pressure. It is the most important risk whine; It damages arteries and increases the likelihood of blockages or rupture.
- Smoke. It damages the arteries, increases clotting and significantly increases the risk.
- High cholesterol. Fats in the blood can form plaques that block brain arteries.
- Diabetes. Excess glucose damages blood vessels and accelerates arterial disease.
- Overweight/obesity. It increases blood pressure, cholesterol and the risk of diabetes.
- Lack of physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to all of the above factors.
- Excessive alcohol consumption. It raises blood pressure and can cause atrial fibrillation.
- Recreational drug use. Cocaine and other drugs can cause sudden stroke.
Non-modifiable risk factors (that you cannot change):
- Age. The risk increases with age (doubles every 10 years after age 55).
- Acquainted history. If your parents had stroke, you are at higher risk.
- Sex. Men are at greater risk than women (except in older adults).
- History of stroke or TIA. If you already had one, the risk of another is much higher.
- Chronic diseases. Cancer, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune diseases.
- atrial fibrillation: This abnormal heart rate can form clots that reach the brain.
The high blood pressure It is considered the most important and preventable risk whine. Controlling modifiable factors through healthy eating, exercise, not smoking, and managing diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
You may also be interested in:
· High blood pressure in childhood: a silent sentence that can shorten life
· Historic decline in smoking rate in the US: what’s beyond quitting smoking?
· Just one serving of ultra-processed foods increases dementia risk
