Strokes are immediate medical concerns and they can occur at any age, although they may present most often in seniors. Getting medical attention right away is vital to ensuring that major complications are avoided, including brain damage and even death.
Understanding Ischemic Strokes
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, and they can be caused by either blood clots or fatty deposits in the arteries of the brain. Without immediate treatment, temporary or even permanent injuries can occur to the brain. These injuries can cause loss of muscle control, memory loss, pain and changes in behavior.
Symptoms of a Stroke
Recognizing the first signs and symptoms of a stroke is important so you, a friend or a family member can receive medical help. Many people like to think of the acronym “FAST” to remember the signs of a stroke, which stands for “Face,” “Arms,” “Speech” and “Time.”
To recognize a stroke happening to yourself or someone else, first look at their face. If someone cannot smile without one side of their mouth drooping, they may be having a stroke. You can also ask someone to raise their arms since it may be difficult to raise both arms evenly at the same time if they are having a stroke. Next, see if the person can speak clearly. If their speech is slurred, this is a leading sign of stroke. Lastly, remember that time is of the essence and emergency help should be sought immediately if any of these signs are present.
The Main Causes of Ischemic Strokes
There are two primary causes of ischemic strokes: thrombosis and embolism. In thrombosis, a blood clot forms and becomes lodged in the blood vessels. In embolism, another type of material becomes lodged in the blood vessel, and this could be fatty tissue, air or another type of foreign material in the bloodstream. Both causes of these strokes will likely cause the same symptoms to appear, and they can both cause the same complications if left untreated.
How Can Age Cause Ischemic Stroke?
While age does not directly cause ischemic strokes, certain diseases and conditions associated with older adults can cause a stroke to occur. For example, high blood pressure can directly cause a stroke.
Seniors who have had certain conditions for long periods of time are also at a greater risk of developing a stroke. Some of these conditions include high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. There are also lifestyle risks that make having a stroke more likely, such as being overweight, not exercising frequently, smoking, drinking alcohol and using illegal substances. These conditions all put you at greater risk of developing blood clots or fatty build-up in the arteries, which are the two causes of ischemic strokes.
Recognizing Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)
Transient ischemic attacks are similar to strokes and present the same symptoms. TIAs, also sometimes called ministrokes, typically do not cause permanent damage; however, they are a serious condition that must be treated right away. Having a history of TIAs also puts you at greater risk of having a stroke at any time, and since it is impossible to tell TIAs and strokes apart without testing in a healthcare facility, you should always seek medical attention if you have stroke-like symptoms.
Stroke Prevention and Management
If you have a condition that is known to cause strokes, it is important to seek treatment and professional advice on how to best manage the condition to prevent a stroke. For example, if you have diabetes, it is vital that you take your prescribed medication every day to reduce your risk of having a stroke later on.
Overweight or physically inactive people may not realize they are at an increased risk of having a stroke. Seniors may also believe that maintaining a healthy weight and performing regular exercise does not matter at their age, but this is far from the truth. Living and engaging in a healthy lifestyle as you age can help prevent strokes and other health concerns from happening. In fact, it is recommended that all adults over 65 perform at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity every week, including some weight-bearing exercises.
Detecting a stroke early can help you prevent permanent damage. For those who want to live in a safe environment that helps to prevent strokes by offering awareness, education and resources or those seeking somewhere to recover from a stroke, The Buckingham is the perfect place. Residents at The Buckingham are surrounded by medical experts 24/7 and have on-site resources for early detection, as well as expertise available to them for recovery should a stroke occur.
The Buckingham is a premier retirement community for older adults in Houston, Texas. At The Buckingham, senior health is the top priority, and all independent, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation residents have access to emergency response teams in cases of emergencies. To learn more about the trusted care the community offers, call us at (713) 576-5114 today.
