You could have had a mini stroke and not know it which is called a silent stroke that shows no symptoms.
A silent stroke is a stroke that does not cause any symptoms that are noticeable.
Most strokes that people have are caused by clots that block a blood vessel in your brain.
This blockage of blood prevents oxygen and blood from reaching that area which causes nearby brain cells to die.
The fastest way to check for a stroke is to check for signs of a stroke by way of the face, arms, speech and time.
Face. Tell the person to smile. Watch to see if their face droops.
Arms. Have the person raise both their arms. Watch to see if one is weak or sags.
Speech. Ask the person to say a simple phrase. Listen for slurred or strange-sounding words.
Time. Every minute counts. Call 911 right away.
If a stroke is suspected, a CT scan is usually able to show whether you have had an ischaemic stroke or a haemorrhagic stroke.
It's generally quicker than an MRI scan and can mean you're able to receive appropriate treatment sooner.
The arm that hurts during a stroke is the left arm and the pain will move from the shoulder and down the left arm or even up to your chin.
If pain comes on suddenly and is unusually severe or it's also accompanied by pressure or squeezing in your chest you should seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
In women who have a stroke the pain can be subtler and it can also radiate to the right or left arm.
A silent stroke is a stroke that does not cause any symptoms that are noticeable.
Most strokes that people have are caused by clots that block a blood vessel in your brain.
This blockage of blood prevents oxygen and blood from reaching that area which causes nearby brain cells to die.
Days before a stroke most people will experience symptoms such as tingling in the face, numbness in the face and a headache.
If you experience headache along with numbness and tingling especially on one side of the face that is a sign of a stroke and you should seek medical attention before the stroke happens.
The 5 warning signs of a stroke are.
Numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs.
Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Trouble Seeing in one or both eyes.
Trouble Walking.
Dizziness or balance problems and severe headache without a known cause.
The warning signs of a stroke are Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
If you experience any of these warning signs of a stroke or you think you or someone is having a stroke call 911 immediately as a stroke is a medical emergency.
Some people who have a stroke will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke.
A study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
A stroke which is also called a brain attack is a condition that occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die.
A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
It is possible to still have a stroke while on blood thinners although the blood thinners can help to lower your risk of a stroke, heart attack etc.
Unfortunately, blood thinners can reduce the risk of clot-related stroke only to increase the risk of stroke related to bleeding and blood vessel rupture.
To prevent unwanted complications from blood thinners, patients may need to make lifestyle and adjustments moving forward.
The safest blood thinners on the market include Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), and most recently Savaysa (edoxaban) which work by preventing pooled blood in the heart from clotting.
Unlike warfarin, the newer drugs are safer and easier for patients to use.
The side effects of blood thinners include heavy periods, bloody or discolored urine or feces, nosebleeds, bleeding gums and prolonged bleeding from a cut.
The safest blood thinning medications are the newer blood thinners which are Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), and most recently Savaysa (edoxaban) — which work by preventing pooled blood in the heart from clotting.
And unlike warfarin, the newer drugs are safer and easier for people to use.
The most common blood thinner is Warfarin and also the following.
rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
dabigatran (Pradaxa)
apixaban (Eliquis)
edoxaban (Lixiana)
There are two main types of blood thinners.
Anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin) slow down your body's process of making clots.
Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot.
The major side effects of taking Warfarin include.
Severe bleeding, including heavier than normal menstrual bleeding.
Red or brown urine.
Black or bloody stool.
Severe headache or stomach pain.
Joint pain, discomfort or swelling, especially after an injury.
Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
Coughing up blood.
Foods that should be avoided when taking Warfarin include Kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts, Parsley, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Endive and Red cabbage.
You can eat bananas while taking Warfarin.
However avoid green bananas but ripe bananas are okay to eat while on Warfarin and poses not health risks.
You should avoid grapefruit and other citrus fruits while taking Warfarin and avoid or limit the intake of the following foods when taking Warfarin.
Kale.
Spinach.
Brussels sprouts.
Parsley.
Collard greens.
Mustard greens.
Endive.
Red cabbage.
Warfarin prevents blood from clotting so it may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding if you are cut or injured.
Warfarin is used to treat people who have had a previous blood clot, such as: a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Some side effects of taking Warfarin include.
Severe bleeding, including heavier than normal menstrual bleeding.
Red or brown urine.
Black or bloody stool.
Severe headache or stomach pain.
Joint pain, discomfort or swelling, especially after an injury.
Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
Coughing up blood.