What To Know About a Stroke

Due to its severity, a stroke is a severe medical condition that requires emergency care. Call 911 right away if you or someone you are with shows any signs of a stroke. To learn about strokes in Franklin, TN, reach out to Dr. Sravani Mehta of BrainCare ( Brain Injury and Stroke Rehab).

What Is A Stroke?

A stroke occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It happens when plaque from cholesterol and lipids builds up in the blood vessels causing them to narrow. This causes damage to the brain or even destroys part of it. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, disability, or even death.

What Are the Symptoms of a Stroke?

Signs and Symptoms of stroke include trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. You may experience confusion, slur words, or difficulty understanding speech. You may stumble or lose your balance. You may also have sudden dizziness or a loss of coordination. Another symptom is a severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or altered consciousness. You may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision. Finally, you may develop sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg.

Stroke Risk Factors in Franklin, TN

If you have some of the stroke risk factors, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

• High blood pressure is the biggest cause of strokes
• Smoking or chewing tobacco raises your odds of a stroke. Nicotine makes your blood pressure go up. Even secondhand smoke can affect you
• Heart disease causes a quarter of all strokes among the elderly. You can also have clogged arteries from fatty deposits
• People who have diabetes often have high blood pressure and are more likely to be overweight. Both raise the chance of a stroke
• Your chances of a stroke may go up if you're overweight
• Some medicines, like blood-thinning drugs, can raise your chances of stroke
• Your chances of getting a stroke double every decade after age 55
• Strokes can run in families due to genetics
• Strokes affect African-Americans and nonwhite Hispanic Americans much more often than any other group in the US

If you are seeking treatment after suffering a stroke in Franklin, TN, call Dr. Mehta of BrainCare ( Brain Injury and Stroke Rehab) at (615) 450-6758 to schedule an appointment today.