Stroke

Symptoms & Causes Diagnosis & Treatment Doctors

What is a Stroke?

A stroke happens when the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, either due to a blockage or bleeding. This interruption prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells, causing them to die within minutes.

As a medical emergency, a stroke demands immediate treatment to minimise brain damage and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

What Causes a Stroke?

The underlying causes of stroke depend on its type:

Ischemic Stroke: Often triggered by fatty deposits in the arteries, blood clots, or debris travelling through the bloodstream.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: Linked to high blood pressure, aneurysms, head injuries, or excessive use of blood-thinning medications.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Caused by temporary blockages in blood flow due to clots or fatty deposits.

In Malaysia, lifestyle habits such as smoking, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity, along with medical conditions like hypertension and diabetes, are significant contributors to stroke risk.

Recognising Stroke Symptoms

Early identification of stroke symptoms is critical for timely treatment. If you experience any of the warning signs below, please come to the hospital immediately:

Speech Difficulties: Slurred or unclear speech, or difficulty understanding others.
Weakness or Numbness: Sudden weakness or paralysis, often on one side of the body.
Vision Problems: Blurred, blackened, or double vision in one or both eyes.
Severe Headache: A sudden and intense headache, sometimes accompanied by dizziness or vomiting.
Loss of Balance: Difficulty walking, coordination issues, or sudden falls.

The acronym FAST can help you remember the key signs of a stroke:

Face*: Is one side of the face drooping?
Arms: Can both arms be raised, or does one drift downward?
Speech: Is speech slurred or unusual?
Time: Act quickly and call emergency services immediately.

*If it is only face drooping and no other symptoms, it is more likely to be a Bell’s palsy (facial nerve swelling only).

Risk Factors for Stroke

Several factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing a stroke. These include:

Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
Other Risk Factors: Age (55+), family history, and hormonal influences such as birth control pills.

Potential Consequences of Stroke

A stroke can lead to a range of complications, depending on the severity and the area of the brain affected. These may include:

Paralysis: Loss of muscle control, often on one side of the body.
Speech and Swallowing Issues: Difficulty speaking, understanding language, or swallowing.
Cognitive Challenges: Memory loss, difficulty reasoning, or trouble making decisions.
Emotional Changes: Depression or difficulty controlling emotions.
Pain or Numbness: Unusual sensations in the affected areas of the body.

How to Prevent a Stroke

Preventing a stroke involves managing risk factors and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Key prevention strategies include:

Control Blood Pressure: Regular monitoring and treatment of hypertension.
Healthy Eating: Reduce cholesterol and saturated fat intake while increasing fruits and vegetables.
Quit Smoking: Avoid tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
Manage Diabetes: Keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Limit Alcohol: Drink in moderation or avoid alcohol altogether.
Treat Sleep Apnea: Seek medical advice if you experience symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Stroke Awareness and Prevention at SJMC

At Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), we emphasise the importance of early detection and prevention of stroke. Our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to raising awareness about stroke symptoms and causes while offering comprehensive care for those at risk.

With advanced diagnostic tools and a patient-centric approach, SJMC is committed to improving outcomes for stroke patients in Malaysia.

FAQs About Stroke Symptoms and Causes

Yes. Symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a "mini-stroke," may come and go as the blood flow to the brain is temporarily disrupted.

Strokes can occur during sleep, and symptoms may only become noticeable upon waking. These include weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or vision problems.

Not all headaches are indicative of a stroke. However, a sudden, severe headache, especially when accompanied by dizziness, vomiting, or confusion, could be a warning sign of a hemorrhagic stroke.

No. While common symptoms like weakness, slurred speech, and vision problems are universal, individual experiences may vary based on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected.

Yes. Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase the risk of stroke by contributing to conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

High blood pressure damages blood vessels over time, making them more prone to rupture (causing hemorrhagic stroke) or blockage (causing ischemic stroke).

While stress itself may not directly cause a stroke, chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or overeating, which increase stroke risk.