Don't ignore these symptoms: Warning signs your body sends before a stroke

Stroke, a condition that can suddenly devastate lives, is often viewed as an abrupt catastrophe. However, medical experts point out that it is a complication that develops gradually over many years.

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Except for rare cases, the stages leading to stroke through atherosclerosis or heart abnormalities, driven by risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, drinking, obesity, and atrial fibrillation, are clear.

Professor Lee Seung-hoon of Seoul National University College of Medicine explained that stroke is a preventable disease. He likened the development of stroke to a gun: the years of risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking are the 'loading' process, while stress or overwork that triggers the event is merely the 'trigger pull.' This means blocking the risk factors during the 'loading' phase can prevent the stroke.

To effectively prevent stroke, regular check-ups are essential, even before symptoms appear. Home blood pressure monitoring and annual tests for blood sugar and cholesterol are fundamental. For individuals over 40, carotid ultrasounds or brain MRAs can detect early signs of atherosclerosis or brain aneurysms.

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If you block the risk factors during the intermediate stage of loading, you can prevent the onset.

If stroke symptoms like facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech occur, immediate emergency medical attention is critical. There are golden hours for treatment: 4.5 hours for intravenous thrombolysis and 6 hours for endovascular thrombectomy. Advances in medical technology mean treatment success rates can exceed 80% if patients reach the hospital within these windows, minimizing brain damage.

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In an emergency situation where symptoms have already appeared, time is life.