Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — When it comes to a stroke, acting quickly is critical.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Wasted time is a wasted brain. Every minute counts.”
Stroke is a serious and emergency medical condition that can lead to disability or even death if not treated quickly, said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of clinical cardiology and cardiovascular disease prevention at the National Jewish Health Foundation.
Stroke is common, and according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.
And US Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, announced Sunday that he had suffered a “minor stroke.”
On the same day, Governor of the US state of Pennsylvania, John Fetterman, announced that he was recovering after suffering a stroke.
In light of this news – and National Stroke Awareness Month – experts are urging the public to learn more about the signs of stroke, so they can recognize them and get medical help early.
What is a stroke?
“It’s usually a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain,” Freeman explained.
This could mean that something is preventing blood from getting to the brain, or that a blood vessel in the brain is bursting, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the majority of strokes occur when the bloodstream to the brain is blocked by clots or particles such as fatty deposits called plaques.
And the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that when a cerebral artery leaks or bursts, it is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Sometimes the bloodstream is blocked for only a short time – usually five minutes at most – and this is known as a TIA or ‘mini-stroke’.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that these are medical emergencies and could be a warning sign of a future stroke.
What happens to the brain?
And when blood flow is cut off by a stroke, brain cells can’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need. And cells can die within minutes, according to the Mayo Clinic group.
What to look for
Strokes are often identified by sudden, severe headaches, vision problems in one or both eyes, difficulty walking, paralysis or numbness of the face or extremities, and difficulty speaking or understanding others, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Experts use the acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, and Time to Talk to a Doctor) to describe what to do in the event of a stroke.
First, ask the person to smile to see if one side of their face falls, then ask them to raise their arms – note if they cannot raise one arm.
Second, check for strange or unclear speech by asking the person to repeat a simple phrase.
And if any of those requests raise concerns, seek emergency medical help immediately, the Mayo Clinic said.
How to treat a stroke
Treatment and recovery depend on the severity of the stroke and how quickly the patient receives medical care.
Small strokes may have less impact, Freeman said, but larger strokes can change a lot of a person’s life.
He added that where a stroke occurs can affect whether a person needs to relearn to walk or talk while they recover.
“If you can get to the hospital within a certain amount of time, you may be able to receive life-saving treatments such as a clot-busting drug or a procedure to restore blood flow,” said Jenny Tavi, chief of neurology and behavioral health at the National Jewish Foundation for Health.
Strokes are a leading cause of death in the United States and can cause disabilities, but they are treatable, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If you’ve had a stroke, getting immediately to a hospital or medical facility can dramatically improve outcomes by quickly restoring blood flow,” Freeman said.
How to prevent a stroke
Freeman explained that high blood pressure, age, and history of vascular events are all significant risk factors for stroke.
Tavi noted that diabetes and heavy alcohol use can also increase your risk of stroke.
There are 6 actions that Freeman recommends that people take to not only prevent stroke, but also prevent other vascular risks.
“The same measures that prevent heart disease can also prevent cerebrovascular disease,” he noted, adding that smoking cessation is important to reduce risks.
Freeman also recommends eating a mostly full-fat diet to reduce plaque buildup, exercising 30 minutes a day (as long as your doctor deems it safe), reducing stress, and getting enough sleep.
He added that adults need an average of 7 hours of continuous sleep each night.
Finally, Freeman said, it’s important for your health to build a network of love and support, adding that “it turns out that people with more loving, supportive, and stronger social networks…end up with the least amount of cardiovascular disease.”