Is a stroke the same as a heart attack?

While a heart attack and a stroke are both medical emergencies caused by a sudden cut-off in blood flow, there are substantial differences. A stroke occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain. On the other hand, a heart attack happens when there is a sudden interruption of the blood flow to the heart.

Who is at risk of getting a stroke?

Stroke can strike anyone regardless of age. People at greater risk for stroke have the following risk factors:

• Age (risk increases with age). 
• Male (risk for women increases after menopause).
• Hereditary Factor.
• Irregular Heartbeat.
• History of heart attack, stroke, or Transient Ischaemic Attack.
• High Blood Pressure.
• High Cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking. & unhealthy Lifestyle.

Can stroke be screened during a routine health check?

As chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are risk factors for stroke, a comprehensive health screen is a good place to start. More thorough checks for whether there are blood clots or obstructions of the arteries leading to the brain may require medical imaging such as brain CT scans or MRIs. Learn more about stroke screening in this article.

What treatment options are available for stroke?

When the cerebrovascular disease caused by blockage of arteries in the brain, medication is used to thin the blood and reduce the risk of further clots forming.

If the cerebrovascular disease is caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, the treatment will be surgical 

How to quickly spot signs of stroke?

When stroke strikes, getting timely medical attention is of the essence. Spot the signs of stroke with F.A.S.T:

• Face drooping – the person’s smile is uneven.
• Arm weakness – the person is unable to lift both arms above the head and keep them up. 
• Speech difficulty – the person is unable to speak, or the words may be slurred.
• Time to call 995 if you spot one or more of these symptoms.