Stroke symptoms require equally urgent attention. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, severe unexplained headaches, or sudden vision problems may indicate a stroke. Even if these symptoms disappear after a few minutes, immediate medical evaluation is necessary because they may signal a transient ischemic attack, which can precede a major stroke.
2. Understanding major risk factors
Several lifestyle and medical factors can increase the risk of sudden death. Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the likelihood of coronary artery disease. Excessive alcohol consumption, the use of certain illicit drugs, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also contribute to cardiovascular complications.