Stroke is a serious health condition that affects more people than what is recorded on the charts. Surprisingly, not too many people know the real early warning signs and indications of stroke. Most people often consider sudden chest pain as an indication of stroke. A telephone survey of over 71,000 random adults in 13 different states including Washington DC had been found to be unaware of the warning signs of stroke. The CDC used data from BRFSS, or the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, survey conducted in 2006 and found that only 16.4 percent of the survey participants can correctly recognize the five warning signs of stroke and effectively determine the incorrect ones.

Failing to receive immediate medical attention can lead to paralysis and even death.

The importance of a prompt response during an episode of stroke cannot be stressed enough. The safety and recovery of a person suffering from stroke will all depend on how fast he gets medical attention; a few seconds of delay can mean death or serious disability.  The type of medication and treatment that a stroke patient needs will depend on the cause of the condition. Stroke is primarily due to the lack or total absence of blood flow to the brain. A few minutes of the brain not being properly supplied with oxygen will prevent the brain from functioning properly and cause it to shut down. It will also leave a trail of damages that can permanently impair various cognitive and mechanical functions.

Ischemic stroke follows the clotting of the blood that blocks the normal flow of blood to the brain. The blockage can develop in the arteries that supplies blood to the brain. Blood clots are most commonly caused by atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries as a result of hypertension, high cholesterol levels, smoking and diabetes. It can also be caused by congenital heart defects, platelet abnormalities, heart attack and irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation. Drugs that promote the circulation of blood to all the tissues and organs in the body are most often used as the immediate response to most cases of stroke. But surgeries like angioplasty and endarterectomy may also be needed in order to treat obstructed carotoid arteries and to break lose the clotting that resulted to the condition.

The 5 most accurate signs of stroke can easily be mistaken as a cause of aging or symptoms of other health conditions.

The effects of stroke can happen immediately or it may also take a few hours before it can completely set in. Knowing what they are and by having the initiative to seek medical help can save you from serious outcomes. Most people usually mistake the signs of stroke as symptoms of other health conditions and some instantly associate it with aging and don't attend to it. It's only after the signs start to intensify or increase in frequency that they begin to worry.

Since stroke is primarily caused by the lack of blood flow to the brain, the signs are usually associated with cognitive and mechanical functions like focus, speech, thinking and balance.

5 Warning Signs of Stroke

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the arm, face or leg, mostly on one side of the body. Most people are familiar with this sign of stroke, according to the study conducted by the CDC. Stroke often strikes on either side of the brain, and when this happens, the opposite part of the body is affected. If the right side of your brain is deprived of oxygen, your left hand and limb may start to become limp and may feel numb, and you may also start to lose control over them and experience difficulties in moving. Similar to the effects of having your legs fixed at one position for a long time, the lack of blood flow to the head can make your face feel numb. Unlike the other signs, sudden numbness and weakness of the body can immediately be concluded as an indication of stroke.
  
  
• Sudden confusion, trouble understanding or speaking. Without sufficient oxygen supply, the brain will fail to maintain its normal functions like speaking and understanding. These signs often occur at an early stage and progresses over time. If you experience these persistent symptoms and at an increasing rate, rushing for medical help is highly recommended.
  
  
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.  If you start to have trouble seeing for no apparent reason, the part of the brain responsible for maintaining vision is probably experiencing the early effects of obstructed blood flow.
  
  
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. The brain controls all functions in the body including balance and coordination. The lack of oxygen in the brain can make you lose your balance and prevent you from walking properly. If this happens, it's important to consult your doctor immediately especially when there are no other possible reasons why you would be experiencing it.
  
  
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Headaches are often caused by a damaged blood vessel in the brain or the lack of oxygen supply. If your head starts to feel a consistent and throbbing pain for no obvious cause, it is smart to call or visit your doctor for professional evaluation.

Stroke can be prevented by evaluating your risk and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Smoking can dramatically increase your risk of suffering from stroke. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can clog the arteries and promote the development of atherosclerosis, and other conditions that may result to the obstruction of blood flow to the brain.

People with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease are also more likely to experience stroke. If you are aware of your condition, it's important to take appropriate measures to manage your condition in order to prevent stroke. It is advised that you eat well-balanced and healthy meals and to limit or avoid the intake of foods that are high in sugar and cholesterol. Because just like in any other diseases, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and frequent exercise can help in lowering your risk.

Sources
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