Even though the symptoms and effects of a heart attack and a stroke are similar, they are two very different medical events.  Both of them however, involve the blood vessels and can be the result of progressive atherosclerosis.  This happens when arteries are narrowed and blocked by fatty deposits.

In a heart attack, one of the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart has a blockage.  In a stroke, the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked.  The heart attack causes damage to the heart muscle and the stroke causes damage to a section of the brain.  A stroke can also be caused by an aneurysm, which is a weakened blood vessel inside the brain itself.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting, fatigue, sweating and cold sweats, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, panic and heartburn are all signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

The symptoms of a stroke can sometimes be very similar, so it’s important to know that there are definite warning signs for strictly a stroke.   According to the American Stroke Foundation, these are the five warning signs:-

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination;
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Note that all these symptoms come on suddenly and they can be more obvious than those of a heart attack.   However, because the sick person might be feeling very confused, he might not comprehend what is happening to him and because of this  might not take any action.  If we happen to notice a sudden change in the behaviour or appearance of someone we are with, we shouldn’t hesitate to phone 911.   Clot-busting drugs are now available, and if given within three hours of the start of symptoms of a stroke, this treatment can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

If you familiarize yourself with these stroke symptoms you will be in a good position to take fast action if you think that either yourself or someone you are with is actually having a stroke.  The timing is crucial, so please don’t hesitate to act.  You very well might save someone’s life…perhaps even your own.

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Take control of your health…change your body from being acidic to being alkaline.