A blood test can measure cholesterol levels and help doctors determine whether lifestyle changes or medication may be necessary.
People should not assume that they have healthy cholesterol simply because they feel well.
Diabetes and blood vessel damage
Diabetes is another important stroke risk factor.
When blood glucose remains elevated for prolonged periods, it can damage blood vessels and nerves.
People with diabetes are also more likely to have other conditions that increase stroke risk, including high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Managing blood sugar is therefore an important part of protecting cardiovascular health.
Doctors may recommend dietary changes, physical activity, medication, and regular monitoring.
Can healthier food choices reverse the damage?
A healthy dietary pattern can improve several cardiovascular risk factors.
Reducing sodium may help lower blood pressure.
Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats may improve cholesterol levels.
Eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains provides fiber and important nutrients.
However, no single food can clean arteries overnight or dissolve an existing blood clot.
People with established atherosclerosis may need medication and medical treatment in addition to dietary changes.
The most important principle is consistency.
A healthier eating pattern maintained over months and years can support better cardiovascular health.
It is not necessary to wait until a medical emergency occurs before making these changes.
Chapter 4: Seven Warning Signs of Stroke That Every Family Should Recognize
One of the biggest dangers of stroke is that symptoms can appear suddenly.
A person may be talking normally one moment and become unable to speak clearly the next.
Family members may initially believe the person is tired, dizzy, or experiencing a temporary problem.
However, recognizing the warning signs quickly can make an enormous difference.
1. Sudden facial drooping
One side of the face may suddenly appear uneven.
Ask the person to smile.
If one side of the mouth droops or the smile looks unusual, this could be a warning sign.
2. Sudden weakness in one arm
A person experiencing a stroke may suddenly lose strength or sensation in one arm.
Ask them to raise both arms.
If one arm cannot remain elevated or begins drifting downward, seek emergency assistance.
3. Difficulty speaking
Speech may suddenly become slurred, unclear, or difficult to understand.
The person may know what they want to say but be unable to find the correct words.
They may also struggle to understand simple instructions.
4. Sudden vision changes
A stroke can affect the parts of the brain responsible for processing vision.
Some people experience blurred vision, double vision, or sudden loss of sight in one or both eyes.
5. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
A person may suddenly become unsteady.
They might struggle to walk, lose coordination, or experience severe dizziness.
This can be particularly concerning when it occurs alongside other neurological symptoms.
6. A sudden severe headache
A sudden, extremely severe headache without an obvious explanation may be associated with a hemorrhagic stroke.
Not every severe headache indicates a stroke, but an unusually intense headache requires urgent assessment, especially if accompanied by neurological symptoms.
7. Sudden confusion or unusual behavior
A person may become confused, have difficulty understanding conversations, or behave unusually.
These symptoms can occur when areas of the brain responsible for language, memory, and thinking are affected.
Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.
The American Stroke Association recommends using the B.E. F.A.S.T. method to recognize stroke symptoms:
-
B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
-
E – Eyes: Sudden changes in vision.
-
F – Face: One side of the face droops.
-
A – Arms: Sudden weakness or numbness in an arm.
-
S – Speech: Slurred or difficult speech.
-
T – Time: Call emergency services immediately.
These symptoms require urgent medical attention.
American Stroke Association+1
What should you do if someone has a stroke during dinner?
Do not wait to see whether the symptoms disappear.
Call the local emergency number immediately.
In Vietnam, call 115 for emergency medical assistance.
While waiting for help:
-
Note the time when symptoms first appeared.
-
Keep the person safe and comfortable.
-
Do not give food, water, or medication by mouth.
-
Do not attempt to drive the person yourself if emergency transport is available.
-
Follow instructions from emergency medical professionals.
Do not give aspirin unless instructed by a healthcare professional. Some strokes are caused by bleeding, and aspirin can make bleeding worse.
Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, emergency assessment is still necessary because a transient ischemic attack may have occurred.
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is sometimes called a warning stroke.
It can produce temporary symptoms similar to a full stroke and requires urgent medical evaluation.
Why is every minute important?
During an ischemic stroke, brain tissue loses its normal blood supply.
The longer the blockage remains untreated, the greater the potential damage.
Some patients may qualify for clot-dissolving medication, while others may benefit from mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure that removes a clot from a blocked artery.
Treatment eligibility depends on the stroke type, imaging findings, medical history, and time since symptoms began.