Heart disease and stroke are two different diseases, even so there are heart diseases that are at risk of causing strokes, namely those related to blood vessels. Stroke is divided into two: First, bleeding stroke due to ruptured blood vessels due to hypertension. Second, the blockage stroke. The mechanism is that there is a blockage from thickening of the blood vessel walls or plaque that moves from the heart to the blood vessels in the brain (called an embolism).
If you have heart disease, are you sure you will have a stroke?
Not everyone with heart disease will definitely have a stroke, but sometimes people with heart disease are more likely to have a stroke. Heart disease that often causes strokes is usually triggered by heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), said dr. Daniel T. Suryadisastra, SpS - Neurologist from EMC Alam Sutera Hospital.
“Heart disease that is prone to triggering a stroke is a heart rhythm disorder in which there is interference due to a valve (heart) not closing properly, causing a blockage. But in elderly people with heart disease the tendency to have a stroke is higher," he explained.
Symptoms and first treatment in stroke patients
Another thing to watch out for is a stroke after ring installation or a heart attack. The chance is higher because usually small emboli break off to the brain.
To recognize stroke symptoms, you can refer to the term FAST method (Face, Arms, Speech and Time).
Check whether the face is symmetrical or not, whether the arms are suddenly limp and paralyzed, or the speech is sluggish. If you show these symptoms, take them to the hospital as soon as possible.
There is no need to immediately panic when a family member or friend has had a stroke. This is because there is a golden period or golden time for treating a stroke, which is within the first 3-4 hours after an attack.
If conditions do not allow you to be taken directly to the hospital, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, immediately lay the patient down with a higher head position (about 30 degrees). The point is for smooth blood flow, regular breathing, and the patient is calmer.
Dr. Daniel strongly discourages pricking a stroke patient's finger with a needle with the aim of thinning the blood. "Don't give blood thinners without doctor's supervision," he explained.
So that heart disease does not necessarily end in a stroke, patients must always be educated about their risk factors. First, you have to be disciplined in taking the medicines given for your heart disease. Second, you have to maintain your lifestyle so you don't trigger hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, and stress. Try to be more sensitive to early symptoms such as tingling (although pins and needles does not always mean a stroke), impaired vision, severe headaches, numb hands or mouth.
Case in point: The youngest stroke patient
Stroke patient with the youngest age ever treated by dr. Daniel T. Suryadisastra, SpS, is a 3 year old boy. Cases like this are rare, where this little patient has a vascular disorder that causes brain blockage and paralysis. However, because he is still a child, the brain cells of this patient are still undergoing regeneration and even the new cells will still grow and develop. The paralysis was successfully overcome, and through physiotherapy the patient is now able to walk and go to school again
After getting to know the risk factors and the dangers involved, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, and smoking will help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Article written by dr. Daniel T. Suryadisastra, Sp.S (Neurologist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).