STROKE WARNINGS
As an older adult, I pay attention to signs I might be having a stroke. You probably do the same. We should also take notice of suggestions on how to lessen stroke risk. Recently, I saw in the news that moderate to intense exercise such as jogging or cycling is not only good at warding off a stroke but can also reduce its effects. (Again, good old exercise is great for just about anything!) One study found that people who exercised the most prior to having a stroke were more likely to have less severe cases and better prospects for long-term recovery.
And today I received my March copy of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter which gives examples of more subdued symptoms of stroke in the article Subtle signs of stroke. (For the more obvious signs of stroke and how to handle it, please refer to my post If it Might be a Stroke, BEFAST) Here are excerpts from the Mayo article:
You may know the classic signs and symptoms of a stroke: face drooping, arm or leg weakness, speech difficulties, impaired vision and dizziness, and loss of coordination. But there are other early warning signs that you probably don’t associate with stroke, according to the American Heart Association.
Early Warning Signs
What early symptoms have in common is that they occur suddenly and often can’t be explained by other possible causes. They include:
- Headaches, especially if they’re unusually severe
- Difficulty walking
- Exhaustion or generalized weakness
- Fuzzy thinking or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting or trouble swallowing, especially without an accompanying illness
If you experience a sudden occurrence of these symptoms without any other explanation, seek immediate medical care — especially if you fall into a high-risk category for stroke. This includes people with high blood pressure, the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, diabetes or heart disease — or a personal or family history of stroke. Additional high-risk groups include adults 55 or older, African Americans, and women taking estrogen-containing birth control pills or hormone therapy.
Overall, men are more likely than women to have a stroke, but women are more likely to show more subtle signs and symptoms. Of course, it’s possible that you’re not having a stroke and it’s a false alarm. But it’s best to play it safe and get an immediate evaluation. If it is a stroke, the longer it takes to receive care and treatment, the higher the risk of disability or death — every minute counts in stemming irreversible brain injury.