Three unusual signs you're a week away from having a stroke

Every 40 seconds a person in the US experiences a stroke , and while the frequency is alarming, more people are surviving strokes than in the past due to advancements in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. While strokes are the fifth leading cause of death there are more than four million stroke survivors in the US. According to the Stroke Association, there are key warning signs to look out for, which can alert you that a stroke might be imminent or that you are already experiencing one, reports Daily Express UK.

The Stroke Association explained: "A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing brain cells." They added: "Damage to the brain can affect how the body functions. It can also change how you think and feel.



The effects of a stroke depend on where it occurs in the brain, and the size of the damaged area." Some signs can manifest days before the actual stroke. Here are three of the most prevalent ones: 1) A mini-stroke , also known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), mirrors a stroke but its symptoms only last for a short period, less than 24 hours.

People often dismiss this as a "funny turn" because it passes quickly or attribute it to fatigue or a migraine. A stroke occurs when a blockage cuts off the blood supply to a part of the brain - with a TIA, this is only temporary. But it must be taken seriously, advises the Stroke Association.

The charity warns: "More than one in 12 people will have a stroke within a week of having a mini-stroke and the greatest risk is within the first few days. If you have a mini-stroke you must get it treated urgently." 2) Unusual headaches may serve as an early alert for an impending stroke, according to a 2020 study in the Journal of Headache and Pain.

The research, which involved 550 adults, found that 81 individuals, or 14.7%, experienced a headache within the week leading up to their stroke. These 'sentinel headaches' were characterized by sudden, intense, and persistent pain, differing from any previous headaches the patients had encountered.

3) Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and increases your risk of a serious stroke. The Stroke Association explains: "Normally, blood flows into the heart and gets fully pumped out every time the heart beats. But in AF, blood can pool inside the heart.

A clot can form in the blood and then travel to the brain, causing a stroke. The charity advises that AF often has no symptoms, which means you might only discover you have AF during a routine medical check-up or after a stroke. DON'T MISS: Expert warns teabags and chicken nuggets can harbor dangers linked to dementia Many people wouldn't mind if their partner was intimate with a robot Health-obsessed CEO announces creation of 'new religion called Don't Die' The acronym FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time, can help you remember the three most common signs of a stroke.

Here's a breakdown of what FAST means: F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? A - Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or feel weak or numb? S - Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase.

Is their speech slurred, difficult to understand, or do they have trouble speaking? T - Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Early treatment is essential..