Although stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number one cause of disability, this condition doesn’t get the respect and attention it deserves. When people have sudden chest pain, they know they might have a heart attack. They call 9-1-1 and seek help immediately.
But people who suddenly become weak or numb on one side of their body, or experience sudden problems with speech or vision, often act unhurried in seeking help.
Why is this? One possibility is that heart attacks are usually painful. Strokes are not necessarily painful, and even when pain is present, it can be mild. Pain is a powerful motivator, and some people have the mistaken belief that all serious medical conditions hurt, and the seriousness of the problem is proportionate to the intensity of pain. Also, because the brain is a more complicated organ than the heart, symptoms of strokes can also be more complex, making them harder to identify.
Incoming search terms:
- immediate action for stroke
- immediate actions for stroke
- stroke action to take
- what actions should i take for stroke
