What is a Stroke? Identifying the Causes and Symptoms

When it comes to stokes, reacting in time can be the difference between life and death. Suffering a stroke can also lead to life-changing disabilities and conditions, putting financial strains on you and your loved ones. To get a better understanding of this health issue, let's take a closer look at the symptoms of a stroke and some facts about the severity of the disorder.

Also known as an embolism, or cerebral hemorrhage, a stroke is one of the most feared acute disorders. It is equivalent to a heart attack but in the brain, and it occurs when not enough blood reaches the head due to a blocked artery or a ruptured blood vessel.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke, of which, nearly 1 of 4 are in people who have had a previous stroke. Another shocking fact about strokes is that every 40 seconds someone suffers from one and every 4 minutes, someone dies due to this event.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability. For instance, this condition has reduced mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over. One of the best ways to prepare for the unexpected is our Final Expense Plan, designed to help your loved ones cope with final expenses such as funeral costs, outstanding debts, final medical bills, and more. If you want to know more about our plan, please feel free to visit our plan page and see all the details of our coverage.

Common symptoms of strokes. 

Stroke symptoms typically appear about 10 seconds after the disturbance of blood supply to the brain. Here are some of the most common symptoms of suffering a stroke:

• Muscular weakness. Typically, the arm and leg on the same side of the body will feel very weak when this symptom occurs. This sensation may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and less sensitivity. This can also affect the face, causing reduced sensitivity or mobility on either side of the face.
• Sudden loss of vision. The affected person may see blurry, double, or even lose sight in one or both eyes for a few moments.
• Hearing, smell, and taste problems. Stroke can temporarily affect other senses such as smell, taste, or hearing. In the case of touch, you may feel a particular tingling sensation.
• Suddenly, memory fails. A sudden memory loss should also put you on your guard. This type of amnesia has nothing to do with memory loss that occurs with age, but will generally follow a general feeling of great mental confusion.
• Difficulty speaking. If the affected person has difficulty speaking or what they say does not make sense, it may be a sign of a stroke. Also be sure to check if the affected person has difficulty understanding other people.
• Coordination problems. When the stroke occurs, there is difficulty coordinating movements like standing upright or keeping your balance. 
• Temporary loss of consciousness. Sometimes, the person suffering the stroke can experience fainting, even without experiencing the rest of the symptoms described.
• A sudden headache. This symptom generally happens when the brain does not receive blood or oxygen, which is why a headache occurs with no apparent cause. If the pain is very intense and there is difficulty moving any part of the body ask for help immediately.

Looking out for the people who matter most

If the worst happens, it's best to ensure the financial futures of your loved ones are secured. With Insurance Supermarket Inc, both your current health and family health history have no impact on your eligibility for coverage with our Final Expense Plan.  If you are interested in discovering your life insurance options, get your free quote now and get the peace of mind you need.