Blood Clots and Stroke: What They Are, How They Happen, What They Feel Like, and How to Avoid Them
Blood clots and strokes are two medical situations that are quite similar and can be deadly if not handled right away. When blood hardens and clumps together, it blocks normal blood flow and causes a blood clot. An ischemic stroke happens when a clot forms in or moves to the brain. This type of stroke makes up around 87% of all strokes.
What is a clot of blood?
When you get hurt, a blood clot grows to stop the bleeding. Clotting is a normal procedure that saves lives, but it can be harmful when it happens in veins or arteries without any injury. It can cause serious harm or death if a clot blocks blood flow to important organs like the brain.
How blood clots can lead to stroke
A stroke develops when blood flow to a portion of the brain is restricted or slowed down, which cuts off oxygen to brain cells. This blockage could be caused by:
Thrombosis is when a clot forms directly in a brain artery.
An embolism is when a clot forms somewhere else in the body, usually in the heart or neck, and then moves to the brain.
If brain cells don't get enough blood containing oxygen, they start to die within minutes. If this happens, it can cause lasting brain damage or death.
Signs of a Stroke
F.A.S.T. is the quickest way to recall the signs of a stroke:
F: Face drooping: One side of the face droops or feels numb.
A. Weakness in the arms: When you lift one arm, it falls down.
S - Trouble with speaking: speech that is slurred or odd.
T—It's time to call for help right away.
Other indicators that something is wrong could be abrupt eyesight issues, loss of balance, or a bad headache.
Things that make you more likely to get blood clots and strokes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Diabetes
Cholesterol levels are high
Smoking
Being overweight and not moving around enough
Heart problems, including atrial fibrillation
Stroke or clotting issues in the family
Tips for Staying Safe
Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure levels in check.
To get better blood flow, work out often.
Eat a healthy diet that includes many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Don't smoke, and drink only a little.
Drink enough water to keep your blood flowing smoothly.
Take care of health problems that are already there, including diabetes or heart disease.
Care
A blood clot that causes a stroke is often treated with:
If given within a few hours of the first symptoms, thrombolytics can break up blood clots.
Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, prevent the formation of new clots.
Surgery or mechanical thrombectomy can be used to remove large blood clots.
In conclusion
Blood clots are a silent danger that can cause strokes that kill people if they aren't found and treated right away. To avoid getting sick, you need to know the signs, understand the risk factors, and live a healthy life. Keep in mind that time lost is brain loss when it comes to strokes. Get medical care right away if you notice any signs.
Tags:
blood clots, stroke prevention, ischemic stroke, symptoms of stroke, brain blood clot, stroke treatment, stroke risk factors, F.A.S.T. stroke symptoms, blood clot causes, blood clot prevention, cerebrovascular accident, embolism, thrombosis
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