What is hemorrhagic stroke? Symptoms, risk factors, prevention

In the Philippines, stroke is the second leading cause of death after heart attack.

Also known as a "brain attack," a stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease and is considered a medical emergency.

There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. According to the Mayo Clinic, an ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot forms in the artery and blocks or reduces the blood supply to an area of the brain.

Meanwhile, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or leaks, which causes bleeding inside the brain. This may be caused by a head injury or a weakened artery wall.

Recently, GMA Integrated News journalist Arnold Clavio detailed his health scare where he suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke in the hospital following a game of golf on Tuesday.

According to his Instagram post, he experienced numbness in the right arm and leg while driving his car. He stopped at a gas station to check himself in the restroom and realized he couldn't walk without having something to hold on to.

The broadcast journalist carefully drove himself to Fatima University Medical Center, where a series of tests showed he had a blood pressure of 220/120 and a blood sugar of 270. Upon undergoing a CT Scan, it was discovered that there was a slight bleeding in the left part of his brain. He was then transferred to St. Luke's Hospital for further observation.

Arnold did not disclose whether or not he's gotten the all-clear from doctors, although he has advised the public to "listen" to their body and thanked the Lord for having survived.

While stroke can be fatal, identifying its signs and getting medical care immediately are critical in reducing brain damage and other complications in stroke patients.

However, a study, "Stroke systems of care in the Philippines: Addressing gaps and developing strategies," published on the Frontiers in Neurology journal in 2022, showed that more than 50% of acute stroke patients in the Philippines have delayed ER arrival time.

Per the study, the reasons for delayed ER arrival time include poor stroke awareness, transportation problems, transfer from a primary hospital with minimal stroke care facilities, and more.

Here are signs of stroke that you should be aware of.

Symptoms of stroke

How does one know if he or she is suffering from a stroke? Neurologist and Stroke Society of the Philippines board member Dr. Joyce Tenorio-Javier shared in a previous interview with GMA News Online that one can check for signs of stroke through the BE FAST acronym.

"B" stands for balance, she said. One sign of stroke is experiencing dizziness or loss of balance. "E" means eyes or having problems with vision, while "F" stands for face or facial asymmetry. One must check if they have a crooked smile or drooping of the face.

"A" stands for arm or when a person has trouble with their arms or displays arm numbness or weakness. "S" stands for speech or having trouble in speaking. Lastly, "T" stands for time, to urge patients to immediately go to the hospital or call for help.

Dr. Javier noted there also instances where a patient may experience mild symptoms and not know they have had a stroke. In some patients, they only discover they've had a "silent stroke" following an MRI or CT Scan.

Risk factors of stroke

What factors increase one's risk of stroke? According to the Mayo Clinic, there are lifestyle and medical risk factors.

Being overweight or obese falls under lifestyle risk factors, as well as heavy or binge drinking, use of illegal drugs, and physical inactivity.

Meanwhile, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea are categorized under medical risk factors.

The Mayo Clinic added that age may also be a factor, as people aged 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke. Men also have a higher risk of stroke compared to women.

Prevention of stroke

Lifestyle and diet are key in preventing stroke, as per Dr. Javier, from what one eats to how much. She advocates for a diet that does not have too much salt.

Aside from lessening one's salt intake, Dr. Javier added that it's best to steer clear of food with trans fat, saturated fat, meat fat, and butter.

Exercise is also key. About 150 minutes of exercise a week or 30 minutes a day three to five times a week is recommended.

She also emphasized that while stroke may be genetic, one's diet and lifestyle still play a major role in one's health.

The Mayo Clinic also advises those with hypertension or diabetes to manage their conditions through regularly taking medication for high blood pressure or diabetes aside from a healthy lifestyle.

It is advised for smokers to quit tobacco use because smoking raises the risk of stroke for smokers and non-smokers, alike. Alcohol must also be taken in moderation, if at all.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News