A stroke can potentially lead to death.
In the United States, someone suffers a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, a grim statistic that underscores the importance of understanding this condition. Strokes, often referred to as brain attacks, are a leading cause of serious long-term disability in older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. A third type, transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a ministroke or warning stroke, is also prevalent.
The FAST method can help identify the signs of a stroke: Face (weakness or numbness in the face), Arms (one or both arms start to drift downward when asked to raise them above the head), Speech (slurred words or changes in how words are pronounced), Time (call 911 immediately if the signs occur). The signs of a stroke often include sudden onset of confusion, numbness in the arm, leg, or face, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, severe headache, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or poor coordination.
Approximately half of stroke patients survive at least five years, according to a population-based study in Argentina. However, survival rates vary significantly by several factors.
Age is a significant determinant of stroke survival. Older age is strongly associated with higher mortality and poorer survival post-stroke. Stroke risk and fatality sharply increase with advancing age, particularly in those over 65 years.
Socioeconomic status also plays a role in stroke survival. Stroke burden and survival are worse in low- and middle-income populations due to gaps in stroke care and follow-up. Baseline disability at stroke onset predicts higher mortality risk, while comorbid metabolic risks such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose also impact stroke mortality trends over time.
While this set of results does not directly quantify sex differences in survival, prior epidemiological data typically report slightly higher mortality rates in men but longer survival in women, partly due to differences in stroke type and comorbidities.
Treatment for stroke focuses on restoring blood flow to the brain, and immediate medical attention is crucial to improve the chances of recovery. Untreated stroke can lead to permanent disability or death.
Prevention is key, and steps can be taken to prevent a stroke or future stroke. These include medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes such as eating more whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats; limiting processed foods, added sugars, high salt intake, and red meats; maintaining a moderate weight; getting regular exercise; limiting or avoiding alcohol use; stopping or avoiding smoking; and taking medications as prescribed to treat underlying conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes.
An interaction between cardiovascular and neurological processes can trigger sudden death in some people who have a stroke. A 2008 study found an association between increased risk of death, stroke, and sleep apnea in people who had a stroke during sleep.
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, and every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies from a stroke in the United States. Across the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. People who had a stroke while asleep had worse short-term outcomes than those who had a stroke when awake, due to delay in treatment.
In 2021, stroke caused 1 in 6 deaths due to cardiovascular disease. This article reviews a person's outlook following a stroke, types of strokes, prevention, and more, aiming to provide valuable insights for those affected by this condition and their loved ones.
- Strokes, commonly referred to as brain attacks, are a significant neurological disorder and a leading cause of serious long-term disability in older adults.
- In the realm of medical-conditions, strokes are one of the leading causes of death, with someone suffering from a stroke in the United States every 3 minutes and 14 seconds.
- The study in Argentina reported that approximately half of stroke patients survive at least five years, with survival rates varying significantly by factors such as age and socioeconomic status.
- To prevent the onset of chronic-diseases like strokes, it's essential to maintain a balanced diet with an emphasis on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods, added sugars, high salt intake, and red meats.
- In addition to nutrition, regular fitness-and-exercise, avoiding or quitting smoking, and taking medications as prescribed to treat underlying conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes can help in preventing strokes.
- CBD has shown some promise in the field of neurology, with potential benefits for managing neurological-disorders and chronic-diseases like strokes, although more research is needed to fully understand its effects.
