What are the Effects of Stroke?

What Are the Effects of Stroke?

When you have a stroke caused by a blood clot, the blood flow to your brain gets cut off. Within minutes, your brain cells begin to die — which can lead to devastating effects, including death. And, studies have shown that some of these effects may be more severe in stroke survivors who have atrial fibrillation (AFib). In fact, strokes associated with AFib can be about twice as likely to be fatal or severely disabling.

Stroke symptoms and response

When it comes to a stroke, time is an important factor in receiving emergency treatment that might help to reduce extensive damage occurring from a stroke. As a person who is living with AFib, you should understand common stroke symptoms and how to respond.

Stroke symptoms may include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of your face, arm, or leg especially on one side of your body
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or your loved one have any of these symptoms.

Effects of stroke

If you suffer a stroke, you may experience effects such as the following:

  • Weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
  • Trouble speaking or understanding others
  • Difficulty seeing
  • Memory loss
  • Changes in your behavior or personality

Having AFib increases your risk of stroke. But you can take steps to help reduce that risk.
Learn more about reducing your stroke risk now >

Supporting a loved one who has AFib

If your loved one has AFib, he or she is nearly 5 times more likely to have a stroke than someone without this condition. So, it’s important to be able to quickly recognize the signs of a stroke — and to know what to do in case one occurs.

Use this simple F.A.S.T. test to check for signs of stroke in your loved one:

  • FACE: Ask your loved one to smile. Does one side of his or her face droop?
  • ARMS: Ask your loved one to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • SPEECH: Ask your loved one to repeat a simple phrase. Does his or her speech sound slurred or strange?
  • TIME: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9–1–1.

Call 9–1–1 immediately if you loved one has any of these symptoms.

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Subject: I thought you might want to know about this.

I'm writing to you because there's an important connection between your heart and your head you may want to learn about. That connection involves the risk of stroke.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), the risk of stroke is nearly 5 times greater than someone who doesn't have AFib. And that stroke can be twice as likely fatal or to be severely disabling.

You can read about it in a new book called, “AFib and Stroke: the Heart-Head Connection.” It tells about AFib and stroke, treatment options, and more. It's free and you can get a copy just by visiting: http://www.facingafib.com/?sc=PRDACQWEBSAFWKT1006085
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