I Can’t Move my Arms!

Mr. Ang woke up at 6:30 a.m. with no alarm clock.

Despite having been retired for almost three years, he still couldn’t shake off the habit of waking up early; it was like clockwork.

He tried to get out of bed, ready to begin his usual morning routine: brushing his teeth, attending to personal matters in the bathroom, showering, changing, and going for breakfast with his wife—this was what he looked forward to in his retired life.

However, to his horror, he found that he couldn’t move his right leg and hand; they felt heavy and weak.

He attempted to use his left arm to propel himself out of bed, but after a few minutes of struggling, he fell back onto the bed.

Mr. Ang was frightened; this had never happened before. What was going on? Was this a terrible dream?

He called for help, his words slurred, and his tongue feeling heavy.

Mrs. Ang heard her husband’s shout and rushed over from the garden to find him, her husband of 30 years, with one side of his face drooping, unable to move the right side of his body.

She was barely able to make out his words, “Call the ambulance.”

With shaky hands, she dialled 999.

At the hospital, Mr. Ang was diagnosed with an ischemic stroke. He remained in the hospital for two weeks before coming home.

Sadly, this is not a rare case.

130 Malaysians suffer from a stroke every day.

It is the third leading cause of death in Malaysia.

It was also among the top 5 causes of hospitalisations in Malaysia from the years 2012-2019.

In fact, according to the Global Burden of Disease Stroke Statistics Worldwide Survey, 1 in 4 Malaysians are expected to suffer from a stroke by 2040.

The age of people developing a stroke is getting younger, with more people suffering from a stroke under the age of 50.

Stroke – A Silent Killer

There are 2 types of stroke: ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

An ischemic stroke occurs due to a blocked artery, preventing blood from flowing to a part of the brain.

These blood clots typically develop in regions where the arteries have narrowed or become obstructed due to the accumulation of fatty deposits known as plaques.

Ischemic strokes are more common, accounting for 87% of stroke cases.

A haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain due to the rupture of a blood vessel.

Who is At Risk?

You may be at risk of developing a stroke if you have underlying medical illnesses like：

High blood pressure
Diabetes mellitus
High cholesterol
Atrial fibrillation – a condition where your heart beats abnormally fast and irregularly
A previous heart attack

You may also have a risk of developing a stroke if you are

Obese (BMI >30 kg/m2)
Lead a sedentary lifestyle
A heavy drinker
A smoker
Male – men have a higher chance of developing a stroke than women
If you have a family member who suffered from a stroke previously

What are the Signs to Look Out For?

Early detection of a stroke is crucial for receiving treatment quickly!

The longer one delays seeking medical help and receiving treatment, the more challenging it will be to achieve a full recovery.

There is an easy way to detect signs of a stroke and act accordingly.

The acronym is called BEFAST

Which stands for:

Balance: Do you experience a loss of balance, headache or dizziness?

Eyes: Do you have blurry vision or vision loss?

Face: Does one side of your face droop / look uneven when you smile?

Arms: Do you notice weakness or numbness on one side of your arms or legs?

Speech: Are you experiencing slurred speech or do the words you speak sound strange? Are you having difficulty speaking?

Time: If you have any of these symptoms, call an ambulance or seek medical attention immediately!

How Can I Prevent A Stroke?

Prevention is better than cure.

You most certainly can take active steps to prevent you or your loved one from developing a stroke!

Eat a Balanced Diet

A Mediterranean diet is not only highly effective in preventing strokes but also in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and improving overall heart health.

This dietary approach emphasises an abundant consumption of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins such as eggs and poultry, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, and seeds.

Fruits and vegetables play a crucial role in reducing the risk of constipation and haemorrhoids while providing a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

It’s advisable to incorporate more lean proteins and complex carbohydrates into your diet.

Reduce your intake of processed foods such as fast foods, fried items, and fatty foods.

Lower Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, strive to maintain a blood pressure level below 130/90 mmHg. Follow a low-sodium diet. The Ministry of Health recommends consuming less than half a teaspoon of salt per day.

Your doctor may also prescribe medications, advise regular checkups, and suggest keeping a blood pressure log to monitor your levels daily.

Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

If you have diabetes mellitus, it’s crucial to maintain control over your condition. Diabetes can harm blood vessels, heightening the risk of clot formation and potentially leading to a stroke.

Avoid beverages and foods containing added sugars, such as sodas, fruit juices, desserts, and pastries.

When craving something sweet, consider healthier alternatives like fruits, Greek yoghurt, and dark chocolate.

Move More

The Ministry of Health advises engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. That is equivalent to approximately 30 minutes of exercise five times per week.

This can include activities like brisk walking or cycling—anything that causes you to break a sweat and elevates your heart rate.

Regular exercise not only decreases the risk of heart attack but also enhances mood and reduces stress levels.

Group exercises like Tai Chi are also a wonderful way of making new friends in the neighbourhood.

Lose weight

53.5% of Malaysians are either overweight or obese.

Obesity increases one’s risk of developing comorbidities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus; which can increase one’s risk of developing a stroke.

Snuff It Out

Smoking increases the risk of clot formation by thickening blood.

It also speeds up the process of plaque accumulation in your arteries.

There are smoking cessation programmes that can help you or your loved one quit smoking for good.

Abstinence from Alcohol

You can choose to abstain from drinking entirely or opt for one glass per day.

If you regularly consume alcohol, strive to limit yourself to no more than one glass per day.

Post-Stroke Recovery

The first three months after a stroke are crucial, as this is when patients typically experience the most significant improvements in function and strength.

During this period, you will collaborate closely with your medical doctor, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, and other professionals, depending on the level of disability.

Rehabilitation begins promptly after a stroke, often while still in the hospital. The primary objective is to restore you as close as possible to your pre-stroke abilities and level of function. After a stroke, individuals may encounter challenges in three main areas.

Physical

Residual weakness and numbness in the affected arms or legs are common. One may also experience fatigue, slurring, problems forming speech and difficulty chewing and/or swallowing.

Survivors may also have problems with bowel or bladder control.

Cognitive

Post-stroke survivors may have difficulty recalling recent and memories.

They may also suffer from insomnia.

Emotional

It is not uncommon for post-stroke survivors to also suffer from depression and anxiety.

There is also an increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease after a stroke.

Sometimes, one may even develop complications following a stroke, like a heart attack, a lung infection or even, a recurrent stroke.

Rehabilitation Consists Of:

Physical therapy helps improve coordination skills, strength, and function that have been impaired by the stroke.

Speech therapy assists post-stroke survivors with difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or speech impairment.

Occupational therapy focuses on daily activities such as dressing, reading, writing, and bathing.

Recovery can be emotionally, physically, and mentally gruelling for both the patient and caregivers.

It may be challenging to come to terms with the disease and navigate life afterwards.

Recovery timelines can vary, ranging from weeks to months or even years.

While some patients fully recover and can resume their daily activities as usual, others may experience lifelong disabilities.

Social, medical, and emotional support are crucial during the rehabilitation period.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

If you are a post-stroke survivor, don’t be afraid to seek help today.

Do not be discouraged by setbacks and limitations.

Everyone’s timeline for recovery is different, and there is always still hope for small improvements and breakthroughs.

References

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stroke/stroke-recovery-timeline

Strategies for Preventing Stroke and Rebuilding Lives