Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is one of the major medical emergencies. This occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off or when internal bleeding occurs.
Within seconds, brain cells begin to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which can cause serious consequences or even lead to death. Therefore, prompt recognition and care is crucial to saving lives and preserving functions such as speech, movement and vision.
To facilitate symptom recognition, the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Stroke Association (SBAVC) adopt two simple and complementary strategies: the international FAST protocol and the abbreviation SAMU, adapted to suit the Brazilian public. They both confirm that the signs of a stroke usually appear suddenly, in a person who was apparently healthy only moments before.
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Samo test
Anyone can take the test when they notice something wrong. Just follow these steps:
- S for smile: Ask the person to smile; Notice whether one side of the face is crooked or drooping.
- bosom: Ask to raise your arms; If one of them falls, there is a loss of strength.
- M for music/message: Ask to sing or repeat a simple phrase; Notice whether speech is slurred, slow, or unintelligible.
- Emergency St: If any of these signs appear call SAMU (192) immediately.
In a stroke, every minute of waiting means loss of brain tissue. It is worth noting that any of these symptoms – even isolated ones – should be treated as an emergency. To help with quick identification, there are other warning signs that may appear suddenly:
Symptoms that may indicate a stroke
- – Sudden loss of vision, especially in one eye.
- Double or blurred vision.
- Sudden severe dizziness, with difficulty walking.
- Loss of balance or a feeling of “flabby legs.”
- A sudden, severe headache, completely different from the usual headache.
- Sudden mental confusion, difficulty understanding or interacting.
- – Sudden tingling, especially if accompanied by other signs.
Main causes and risk factors for stroke
Cardiologist Luciana Barbosa, from the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital in Brasilia, highlights that heart disease plays an important role in the development of stroke, especially among the elderly.
He adds: “Heart disease, such as irregular heartbeat, changes in the heart’s contractility (changes in the force with which it contracts) and the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries, are linked to the main causes of stroke in older people.”
She explains that these problems can affect the arteries of the heart, brain, or neck, in addition to risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. “These other diseases, which constitute risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, are also involved in the development of stroke,” he emphasizes.
High blood pressure deserves special attention. “Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. It is important that the patient always keeps his blood pressure under control and seeks immediate care if neurological symptoms appear,” warns Luciana.
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A stroke, also known as an ischemic stroke or ischemic stroke, is an interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain.
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The accident can happen for several reasons, such as the buildup of fatty plaques or the formation of a clot – causing a stroke – bleeding due to high blood pressure and even the rupture of an aneurysm – causing a hemorrhagic stroke.
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There are many common symptoms in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, such as: very severe headache, weakness or numbness in some parts of the body, paralysis and sudden loss of speech.
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There is no cure for stroke, but it can be prevented in most cases. When this happens, it is possible to invest in treatments to improve the condition and in rehabilitation to reduce the risk of consequences.
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Most often, it occurs in people over 50 years of age, however, it can also affect younger people. The disease can occur as a result of five main reasons
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Smoking and malnutrition: It is important to follow a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean meat, in addition to practicing physical activity at least 3 times a week and not smoking.
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High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes: These diseases must be adequately controlled, in addition to following healthy lifestyle habits to reduce their negative effects on the body, because they can lead to stroke.
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Heart or blood vessel defects: These changes can be detected in routine consultations, and should be monitored if identified. Some people may need to use medications, such as anticoagulants.
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Illegal drugs: It is recommended to seek help from one of the centers specialized in drugs in order for the detoxification process to take place and thus improve the patient’s quality of life, which reduces the chances of stroke.
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Increased blood clotting: diseases such as lupus, sickle cell anemia or thrombophilia. Diseases that lead to inflammation of blood vessels, such as vasculitis. Or brain spasms that impede blood flow
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Why are these signs so dangerous?
Neurologist Flavio Sikeev Salem, from Gabonese Santa Cruz Hospital, explains that strokes usually appear without warning. “In the first few minutes, a stroke appears suddenly,” he describes. “It is the feeling that ‘something has stopped’ in the body.”
The expert warns that reaction time is crucial. In the first 60 to 90 minutes, the chances of completely reversing symptoms are greatest. “After this time, the risk of consequences increases very quickly,” he says.
The most effective treatment period begins to close 3 to 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms. Moreover, Flavio recalls that even mild symptoms can serve as a real warning.
“When symptoms start suddenly, even if they are mild, they should be taken seriously. It is much better to be cautious,” he advises.
Even with obvious symptoms, confirmation of a stroke depends on medical evaluation and imaging tests. Cardiologist Luciana Barbosa confirms that a CT scan may not show changes at first, but this does not rule out the diagnosis.
“The main examination is the clinical examination. Even with an initially normal CT scan, we do not rule out a stroke, because the changes may not have appeared yet,” he points out.
There are treatments that can open the arteries and reduce the consequences, as long as they start quickly. Therefore, recognizing the signs, using the SAMU protocol and seeking help immediately can save lives and preserve brain function.
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