After a morning on the beach, a walk under the sun or several hours enduring high temperatures, it’s easy to think that fatigue, weakness or discomfort are simply the result of heat. But there is a situation in which waiting for it to “pass” may be a very grave mistake.
One person begins to speak with difficulty. Another suddenly loses strength in an arm. Someone notices that vision has started to look blurred. In the height of summer, these symptoms can be attributed to heat, dehydration, or even a drop in blood pressure.
However, they can also be signs of a stroke.
According to the Spanish Group of Interventional Neuroradiology (GENI), about 120,000 people suffer a stroke in Spain each year and around 25,000 die. Specialists emphasize that recognizing the symptoms quickly and acting as soon as possible can make the difference between a good recovery and the onset of permanent sequelae.
These symptoms should not be mistaken for heat
Summer can cause some alarm signals to go unnoticed. However, there are certain symptoms that require immediate action, especially when they appear suddenly.
Among the main signs compatible with a stroke are:
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding what is being said.
- Loss of strength in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Facial drooping.
- Sudden changes in vision.
The key lies precisely in the abrupt appearance of these symptoms.
If a person who had been well up to that moment suddenly begins to speak in a strange way, cannot raise an arm or shows a change in vision, it is not advisable to assume they are simply affected by the heat.
Dr. Eduardo Bárcena, an interventional neuroradiologist, warns about the importance of recognizing these signals and acting quickly.
And there is an especially important recommendation: in the face of these symptoms, you should call 112 rather than trying to transport the patient to the hospital yourself.
Emergency services can assess the situation and activate the most appropriate care protocol.
Every Minute Counts
One of the main challenges of stroke is that time can be decisive.
Rushing the onset of care means that the sooner treatment begins, the less impact there can be on the brain tissue. Therefore, waiting a few minutes to see if the patient improves can mean losing valuable time.
Moreover, not all strokes are the same and not all patients require the same treatment.
As explained by Dr. Manuel Requena, a member of GENI, before deciding how to treat a stroke it is necessary to know what type of patient it is, the severity of the situation and to perform an imaging test that allows planning the treatment.
In certain cases, interventional neuroradiology techniques enable direct action on the affected vessels through minimally invasive procedures.
After the intervention, postoperative care is also essential to support the patient’s recovery.
Although not all strokes can be prevented, specialists point out that a significant portion of the risk is related to factors we can control.
Among the main measures to reduce the chances of suffering a stroke are:
- Avoid smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Periodic control of blood pressure.
- Monitor levels of sugar and cholesterol.
There are also vascular problems that can increase the risk of stroke. This is the case of carotid stenosis, a narrowing of the carotid arteries, which GENI says is related to between 10% and 20% of ischemic strokes.
In some patients, revascularization techniques may be used such as carotid endarterectomy, carotid stent or transcarotid revascularization, with the aim of reducing risk.
The Experts’ Message for This Summer
Heat can cause fatigue, dizziness or dehydration, but not all symptoms that appear during a summer day should be attributed to high temperatures.
If a person suddenly presents difficulty speaking, loses strength on one side of the body, has a drooping mouth or experiences a change in vision, the important thing is to act.
Do not wait. Do not assume it’s only heat. Do not try to assess the situation at home.
Calling 112 can quickly set in motion the care the patient needs.
Because when it comes to a stroke, a few minutes can change everything.
