A stroke occurs when there is bleeding into our brain, or normal blood flow to our brain is hampered. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying — a process that may continue over the next several hours.

A stroke is a true emergency. Seek immediate medical assistance. The sooner treatment is given, the more likely it is that damage can be minimised. Every moment counts. If you notice a sudden onset of one or more of the following signs or symptoms, seek for local emergency medical assistance immediately:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg on one side of your body
• Sudden dimness, blurring or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
• Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech
• Deviation of mouth to a direction
• Sudden, severe headache — a bolt out of the blue — with no apparent cause
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially if accompanied by any of the other symptoms
• Vertigo or unconsciousness for a while that is the sign of TIA (transient ischemic attack in the brain)

Risk factors for stroke include having high blood pressure, having had a previous stroke, smoking, having diabetes and having heart disease. Your risk of stroke increases as you age.

VIA