Stroke is not a geriatric disease. And it’s not confined to elderly overweight smokers who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Imagine that you are out shopping with your mother, and she suddenly gets severe hiccups, shortness of breath or palpitations. Maybe you even notice sudden face and limb pain, nausea, chest pain or general weakness.

Could it be a stroke? You think that some of these signs don’t fit common stroke symptoms, but you might not know that women can display different symptoms than men. According to the American Stroke Association, five warning signs for both men and women can include:

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg — especially on one side of the body

• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Severe headache with no known cause

However, some of the most common complaints among women without any of the five warning signs can be loss of consciousness or fainting, difficulty breathing, pain, nausea, migraines and seizures.

According to Eva M. Rzucidlo, MD, a vascular surgeon at McLeod Health Cheraw, persons also may experience a different stroke warning sign called a transient ischemic attack, which lasts for a few minutes to one hour. A TIA can be similar to other stroke symptoms, but usually disappear within 24 hours.

TIAs, or ministrokes, are caused by a clot; the only difference between a stroke and TIA is that with TIA the blockage is transient (temporary). TIA symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes; the average is about a minute. When a TIA is over, it usually causes no permanent injury to the brain.

The body has naturally occurring clot-busting agents.

“Eventually all clots will dissolve, but whether there is damage depends on how long the clot is in place,” Dr. Rzucidlo said.

However, because there is no way to predict when a clot will dissolve on its own, time is of the essence.

“Whenever you have stroke symptoms, dial 911 immediately and get to the emergency room so you can be evaluated. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away,” warns Dr. Rzucidlo.

While the vast majority of strokes are not preceded by TIA, about a third of people who experience TIA go on to have a stroke within a year.

“TIA is a warning stroke and gives a patient time to act and keep a permanent stroke from occurring,” says Dr. Rzucidlo. “By recognizing TIA symptoms and getting to the hospital, the patient can get help in identifying why the TIA occurred and get treatment — either through medication or surgery — that can prevent a stroke from occurring.”

According to Dr. Rzucidlo, there should be no difference in response to a TIA or a stroke. Although a TIA resolves itself before there is damage, there is no way to predict which clots will dissolve on their own. Strokes — and TIAs — are medical emergencies; dial 9-1-1 and tell the operator you think it’s a stroke and note the time the symptoms started. Remember: Time lost is brain lost.

Sixty percent of people who have strokes are women. Call 911 if you notice someone having any signs of stroke. Patients can be treated with a clot-buster medication, if used within three hours after first symptoms. Your quick response may help one of the 100,000-plus women under the age of 65 each year who have a stroke and reduce possible long-term disability. Ask your vascular surgeon if you would benefit from a noninvasive vascular screening that may identify any blood flow issues or blockages in your arteries. Make sure your blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes numbers are under control. Be active, have a healthy diet, limit alcohol, watch your weight and do not smoke.

McLeod Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Eva Rzucidlo cares for patients in the office of McLeod Family Medicine Cheraw. Patients who are interested in an appointment with Dr. Rzucidlo at McLeod Family Medicine Cheraw can call McLeod Vascular Associates at 843-777-7043 for more information.

Dr. Eva Rzucidlo
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Dr.-Eva-Rzucidlo-fz.jpgDr. Eva Rzucidlo

For the Record