What are the Indicators of a Stroke?

The UCLA Stroke Center estimates that 750,000 Americans suffer strokes yearly. During a stroke, brain cells begin to die within minutes, according to the Mayo Clinic. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is significantly reduced or interrupted, taking oxygen and nutrients away from brain tissue. Though still requiring emergency medical attention, Americans do not die from strokes as frequently as in the past due to advances in treating stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.

Symptoms

• Immediately preceding a stroke, a patient may feel weakness accompanied by numbness or paralysis, particularly on one side of the body, according to the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC). You may experience vision problems, such as double vision or complete loss of sight. Other sudden symptoms include difficulty speaking and comprehending language, unexplained headache, dizziness and loss of balance, especially if accompanied by other stroke symptoms. The University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) points out less common stroke symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever and a loss of consciousness, from fainting to coma.

Risk Factors

• Binge drinking can prompt a stroke.

  The Mayo Clinic describes several potential advanced indicators of stroke. These risk factors include a family history of stroke or heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Cigarette smokers and individuals 55 years of age and older are more likely to experience a stroke. Birth control pills and hormone therapy are also contributing factors. Mayo Clinic experts warn that binge or heavy drinking and the use of drugs such as cocaine can trigger a stroke.

Mini-Strokes

• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, point to the possibility of a future full-blown stroke. TIAs present the same symptoms as a stroke, but they last for only a few minutes, causing no brain damage, according to the Mayo Clinic. TIAs are serious, though, as 1/3 of people who experience them will end up having a stroke, reports UTMC. While a TIA does not precede all strokes, Mayo Clinic experts warn that if you experience these episodes, you should seek medical attention. TIAs indicate that an arterial passageway to the brain is narrowed or blocked, which increases your risk for stroke.