Friday, July 18, 2014

How to prevent mini-strokes (TIAs) by early detection?

http://www.youtube.com/user/NewYorkCardiac

When it comes to TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) better known as mini-strokes, early recognition of symptoms is essential. The episodes of mini-strokes are indicative of a medical emergency. A 49 year old woman recorded her facial movements on her Smartphone. The video helped physicians figure out that it was a stroke. The woman underwent an MRI to confirm it and the results were positive.

To prevent strokes from happening, it is crucial to get one’s health evaluated for various risk factors related to heart problems. One should get checked for hypertension, elevated lipids, plaque buildup in the arteries and diabetes mellitus.

Other than that, sticking to a healthy lifestyle is capable of dramatically decreasing the chances of strokes. Low-risk lifestyle includes regular exercising, maintaining right body weight, healthy diet, and not smoking. Right body mass index is essential to avoid strokes. Those who drink alcohol should moderate their alcohol consumption.

There is a three-part stroke test that emergency medical personnel use for evaluating the possibility of a stroke. In the first part of test, patient is asked to smile or show his teeth. The results of this test will be considered abnormal if one side of the face is partially droopy.

In the second phase, the patient under observation is asked to extend his arms straight out for ten seconds with his eyes closed. If one arm does not move, and the other arm drifts down it means the test result is abnormal.

The third part of the test is to check abnormal speech. For that, patient is asked to repeat a long sentence. If the patient utters wrong words, or cannot speak properly, it means the test result is not normal.

An important risk factor associated with stroke is hypertension. High blood pressure is often silent and doesn’t exhibit any signs. One should get oneself checked for hypertension. The best way to assess risk factors of strokes is to get a complete evaluation done by contacting the best cardiologist in NYC. The complete evaluation includes physical examination, blood tests, and carotid ultrasound. Carotid ultrasound checks if there is plaque building up in the blood vessels.