A Stroke Survivor's Urgent Warning and A Doctor's Prevention Playbook
Sudden dizziness, leg weakness and a loss of vision—when a stroke hits, it often comes without warning, affecting the lives of the survivor and everyone around them.
66-year-old Joyce shares her story of a stroke that struck while grabbing lunch with a friend, emphasizing the life-saving role of immediate care. Learn the key symptoms, major risk factors, and actionable steps you can take today to protect yourself and your loved ones from Donald Heck, MD, with Cone Health Neurosurgery at Greensboro, in this 2 Your Well-Being conversation with WFMY.
Joyce was in the middle of a work shift when she decided to grab lunch with a friend. What started as a quick break quickly became a medical emergency. "I get to lunch and tell her, 'I don't feel good.' And she says, 'You don't look good,'" Joyce recounts. "I put my fork down... I could not get up from the table." Recognizing the severity, her friend called EMS. Doctors later confirmed Joyce was having a stroke. She was rushed to the hospital where time was the most crucial factor.
"They gave me a shot, some medicine that if you give a stroke victim within two or three hours, it can make a really, really huge difference in your outcome."
Joyce was later transferred to Moses Cone Hospital for continued care. Today, she is focused on prevention, working with Cone Health’s community stroke awareness group to share her experience and help others recognize the warning signs. "I don't want people to go through what I went through," she says.
While strokes are more common as people get older, Dr. Heck explains that isn't always the case. "I'm at risk for having a stroke, and so are you," He shares. "Strokes affect people of all ages, young people, old people, people in the middle, people who are very healthy and people who aren't."
Recognizing the Symptoms: Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.
Prompt recognition of stroke symptoms is non-negotiable, as an ischemic stroke—where a blood clot blocks blood supply to the brain—causes you to lose thousands of brain cells every second.
The most common symptoms include:
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Sudden drooping of the face
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Sudden weakness of an arm or leg
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Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding others
Dr. Heck stresses the importance of the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym:
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Balance: Sudden difficulty with balance or dizziness.
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Eyes: Sudden loss of vision in one eye or one side of the body.
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Facial: Sudden facial weakness or drooping.
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Arm: Sudden arm or leg weakness.
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Speech: Sudden difficulty speaking or language problems.
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Time: Time to call 911 immediately.
The Dangers of Waiting
"If we wait too long and the brain is without blood flow and oxygen for too long, the damage can be permanent," Dr. Heck warns.
If you notice these signs, the key thing to remember is that it is an emergency. It is not the time to "wait around and see if it gets better" or "take a nap." Effective medical treatments, including certain medications and surgeries, are all highly dependent on being administered quickly.
The Prevention Playbook: Health Issues You Can Control
The good news is that the major risk factors for a stroke are the same as those for a heart attack—and many of them are manageable.
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Stop Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor. Learn about smoking and nicotine cessation.
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Manage Medical Conditions: Control high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol through treatment and lifestyle changes.
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Address Family History: If you have a strong family history of stroke, it is even more important to be diligent about your blood pressure, exercise, and diet. Explore GeneConnect to better understand your genetic health risks.
"If you take good care of yourself, you're going to feel better," says Dr. Heck. "It's important not just for lowering your risk of having a stroke, but also for lowering your risk of having a heart attack and cancer."
Dr. Heck’s final advice is to start a conversation with your primary care provider about lowering your risk factors for stroke and heart attack. They will work with you to achieve a normal blood pressure and cholesterol level.
