Winter Weather and Stroke Risk is always a health concern for many people, especially those with cardiovascular diseases, weak immune systems, and the elderly. It is an extremely dangerous condition that can result in death if not promptly treated or managed correctly.
What is a stroke? Symptoms for identification
A stroke (cerebrovascular accident) is an acute condition that occurs when there is a rupture or blockage of blood vessels in the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen and gradual stagnation of blood flow. If not treated promptly, stroke patients may face various disabilities and even death.
According to statistics from hospitals in Vietnam, the number of stroke cases during winter increases by 15-20% compared to the summer season. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the signs of a stroke in order to take timely measures.
Currently, many countries around the world have introduced the acronym FAST – Fast Action to identify the risk and raise awareness of winter stroke among the general public. Since stroke symptoms can appear and disappear rapidly, it is important to pay attention to the following signs:
Face: The most noticeable sign of a stroke is an imbalanced or distorted face. If there is suspicion, you can ask the patient to smile to observe more clearly.
Arm: The initial sign may be numbness in one arm, stumbling while walking, or difficulty controlling limbs according to brain commands. To determine accurately, the patient is asked to raise both arms, and it will be concluded that the weaker or dropping arm indicates paralysis.
Speech: Recognize the patient’s abnormal speech during a stroke. Some stroke victims have difficulty speaking clearly or pronouncing words.
Time: If the patient exhibits all three of the above signs, those around them need to quickly bring the patient to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.
In addition, other signs of stroke in individuals may include:
- Blurred vision or decreased visual acuity.
- Dizziness, unconsciousness.
- Headache, nausea, vomiting.
The warning symptoms of a winter stroke may vary depending on each person’s specific health condition. It is important to pay attention to your body because the “golden hour” for this condition is 60 minutes. With each passing minute, the severity of stroke-related nerve damage increases. Therefore, when any of the above signs appear, it is necessary to seek medical examination at specialized healthcare facilities as early as possible.
Winter stroke is a dangerous medical condition that poses a significant threat to human health.
Causes of Stroke in Winter
In reality, there are two main causes that lead to stroke: arterial blockage (localized ischemia) or cerebral hemorrhage (ruptured blood vessels). Additionally, there are several other factors that increase the risk of stroke, including:
Medical factors:
- History of previous stroke: Individuals who have previously experienced a stroke are at a significantly higher risk of subsequent strokes. However, this risk gradually decreases over time.
- Cardiovascular diseases: According to medical experts, individuals with heart conditions such as heart failure, valve defects, arrhythmias, etc., have a higher risk of stroke compared to those without such conditions.
- Hyperlipidemia: When cholesterol levels are elevated, it can accumulate on the arterial walls and potentially create obstructions, leading to dangerous blockages in cerebral blood vessels.
- Obesity and overweight: Being overweight can contribute to various conditions such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension, which increase the risk of stroke.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes, if not properly controlled, have a fourfold higher risk of stroke compared to the general population.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure causes increased pressure and damage to arterial walls. Hemorrhagic strokes can occur when the patient’s blood pressure remains uncontrolled and leads to ruptured blood vessels.
- Unhealthy lifestyle: Studies have shown that imbalanced nutrient intake and lack of physical activity contribute to a higher risk of stroke.
Unmodifiable factors:
- Gender: Females generally have a lower risk of stroke compared to males.
- Age: Individuals aged 55 and above have a higher incidence of stroke.
- Ethnicity: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals of African descent have twice the risk of stroke compared to Caucasian individuals.
Effective Strategies to Prevent Winter Stroke
According to experts, the key to preventing dangerous complications of stroke is timely medical intervention and treatment. In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle is an effective and safe way to prevent strokes during the winter season.
Maintain Body Warmth
In winter, the low temperatures make the body susceptible to cold and flu. This can increase blood pressure and exert excessive pressure on blood vessels, posing a significant risk of vessel rupture. Therefore, it is essential for both the elderly and young individuals to dress warmly and keep the body consistently warm on days with low temperatures.
Follow a Proper Nutritional Regimen
One of the primary causes of stroke stems from chronic health conditions. What you eat and drink daily plays a crucial role in determining whether you are at risk of stroke during winter. Here are some dietary recommendations from doctors for an effective stroke prevention regimen:
- Consume a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich foods to ensure the body receives ample vitamins and beneficial nutrients.
- Drink an adequate amount of water daily and supplement with fruit juices or soy milk. Incorporate eggs, seafood, and lean meats into your diet to provide essential proteins for the body.
- Limit the consumption of fast food and fried foods that are high in unhealthy fats.
- Reduce the intake of red meat such as pork and beef.
- Gradually decrease the amount of sodium used in cooking and in daily meals.
- Restrict the consumption of alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.
- Avoid overeating, as excessive fat intake can increase the risk of obesity.
Developing Health Habits Properly
Engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day not only helps relieve stress, improve blood circulation, enhance sleep quality, and reduce the risk of obesity but also decreases the chances of stroke by up to 25%.
Experts recommend that adults should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Some recommended sports and activities include walking, jumping rope, swimming, cycling, gym workouts, and yoga. It’s important to gradually introduce these activities, starting from lower intensity to higher intensity, to allow the body to adapt and avoid injuries during exercise.
Stroke is commonly found in older adults.
Regular Health Check-ups
This is an important preventive measure against winter stroke that many people tend to overlook. Undergoing regular health check-ups enables doctors to identify risk factors for stroke and take proactive measures to prevent it effectively.
For individuals who have previously experienced a stroke, adhering to regular health check-ups and following the prescribed lifestyle by the physician is crucial. This helps to maintain the condition within safe parameters and prevents the risk of exceeding critical levels that may lead to another stroke.
Winter stroke is a concerning health issue associated with severe complications. Therefore, to keep your body healthy, it’s essential to proactively monitor your health status and follow preventive measures. We hope the information provided above proves helpful to you.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
