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of the best things a person can do to protect themselves from a stroke .
An active lifestyle not only keeps the vascular system exercised but also helps to maintain an appropriate weight .
Many of the issues that contribute to an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke are interlinked , especially in regard to cardiac and vascular diseases .
Generally , it can be said that maintaining good vascular health will aid in the prevention of a suffering a stroke .
In the event that you believe you or someone else may be suffering a stroke , there is a helpful acronym to identify the symptoms of a stroke : BE FAST .
BE FAST stands for Balance issues , Eyesight changes , Face drooping , Arm weakness , Speech difficulty , and Time to call 911 .
Strokes typically occur in only side of the brain , leading to specific signs of a stroke when observing utilizing the BE FAST acronym .
For example , ask a person who you think may be suffering a stroke to raise both of their arms , if one arm droops downward , they may be suffering a stroke .
Perhaps the most obvious symptom to observe would be facial drooping .
If you ask someone who may be suffering a stroke to smile , and their smile is uneven with one side of the mouth drooping , this is a sign that they have indeed suffered a stroke .
If you observe any or multiple of these symptoms , it is advised that you seek medical attention for yourself or for another person immediately .
Like many acute ailments , the faster that a stroke is recognized and treated , the better the outcome for the patient .
According to Dr . Kolikonda , the acute treatment phase for a stroke lasts approximately 4.5 hours after presentation of symptoms , during which doctors have more options in terms of treating a stroke .
He said , “ Once a patient has an Ischemic stroke and has their blood flow within the brain interrupted , we can use clot-busting medication . This medication breaks the clot and will reestablish blood flow to that part of the brain ... Every minute that the brain goes without oxygen , neurons and other vital tissues are damaged . It is very crucial to establish blood flow quickly ... Once a patient presents stroke symptoms , they need to go to the hospital immediately .”
For a Hemorrhagic stroke , early treatment is just as vital , albeit done in a different way . For this kind of stroke , doctors often use medication that reduces blood pressure in order to slow the bleeding within in the brain . According to Dr . Kolikonda , there is an increasing amount of data which suggests that procedures to help lessen the amount of pressure in the brain can also help to produce better outcomes for Hemorrhagic stroke patients .
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