Golden Time! A perfect guide to signs and prevention of cerebral infarction

 

1. Cerebral infarction, Why is 'Golden Time' Important?

Have you ever experienced a sudden loss of strength or speech? These symptoms can be dangerous signs of cerebral infarction that should never be taken lightly. cerebral infarction is a condition in which blood vessels in the brain are blocked and brain tissue is damaged, and you can think of it as an emergency situation that comes to your brain as if a heart attack were coming to your heart.

The most important concept in cerebral infarction is **Golden Time**. When blood vessels in the brain are blocked, oxygen and nutrients are cut off, and the brain cells start to die quickly. The longer this period of time, the more severe the damage to the brain can become, and there can be permanent aftereffects that are difficult to recover from. Usually, within 3 to 4.5 hours of a cerebral infarction, the golden time is called, and with proper treatment within this time, the blocked blood vessels can be drilled again to minimize brain damage and significantly increase the chances of recovery. It's as if early suppression in case of a fire can reduce the damage. Therefore, if you suspect symptoms of cerebral infarction, you should immediately call 119 or visit the hospital's emergency room.

2. Cerebral infarction, if this is the case, suspect it!

Cerebral infarction comes suddenly, but if you know the signs that your body sends you beforehand, you can avoid missing the golden time. It is good to use the abbreviation '**F.A.S.T.'** to make it easier for you to remember.

 * Face Drooping: Sagging or crooked muscles in one face. Only one side of your mouth goes up when you smile.

 * Arm Weakness: One limb suddenly loses strength, making it difficult to lift or numb.

 * Speech Difficulty: Pronunciation becomes awkward or trying to speak, but words don't come to mind and become difficult to understand.

 * Time to Call 911: If you experience any of the above three symptoms, you should call 119 immediately.

In addition to this, a person who is unable to see well in one eye, has a sudden dizziness, makes it difficult to balance, and feels an extreme headache can also be a precursor to a cerebral infarction. These symptoms may appear briefly and then disappear, but they are more likely to be **TIA*. TIA is a strong warning sign of cerebral infarction, and it is very likely to lead to cerebral infarction, so you must see a doctor. 

3. Why do cerebral infarction occur?

There are two main types of cerebral infarction. The most common are **Thrombotic Stroke** and **embolic Stroke**.

 * Thrombotic cerebral infarction: Arteriosclerosis progresses in the blood vessels of the brain, which narrows the blood vessels, and a blood clot (blood cake) forms in that area, blocking the blood vessels. Arteriosclerosis is the process of forming an atherosclerotic plaque on the walls of blood vessels due to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and lipid deposition. As this plaque ruptures, platelets aggregate to form blood clots.

 * Embolic cerebral infarction: Blood clots or debris from other areas, such as the heart or neck blood vessels, travel through the bloodstream and stop them. In particular, arrhythmia such as **Atrial fibrillation** increases the likelihood of blood clots forming inside the heart, which is the main cause of cerebral infarction. This is because blood does not circulate properly due to an abnormal heartbeat and solidifies as it stagnates.

The main culprits of these vascular problems include high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity. These diseases cause chronic inflammatory reactions in vascular endothelial cells and accelerate arteriosclerosis by thickening the vascular wall. In particular, high blood pressure promotes vascular wall damage by continuously applying high pressure to the blood vessels, and diabetes accelerates vascular aging by increasing inflammatory substances and oxidative stress in the blood vessels.

4. Scientific solutions to prevent cerebral infarction

Since cerebral infarction is mostly a lifestyle-related disease, it can be sufficiently prevented through constant care. Here are some scientifically proven ways to prevent cerebral infarction.

 * Managing Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol: If you have a chronic disease, it is important to constantly receive medication according to your doctor's instructions, and to monitor your blood vessel condition through regular medical checkups. Medication is one of the surest ways to prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction.

 * Healthy Eating Habits: See Mediterranean Diets That Are Good for Vascular Health. It is necessary to eat a lot of olive oil, nuts, blue-backed fish, vegetables, and fruits, and reduce the intake of saturated fat and sodium. Omega-3 fatty acids help to suppress blood clots and reduce inflammation in blood vessels.

 * Regular Exercise: Aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure and increases the elasticity of blood vessels. Walking, jogging, and swimming are recommended three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes. Exercise promotes blood circulation and improves vascular endothelial cell function, which slows down the progress of arteriosclerosis.

 * Quitting and Refusing to Drink: Smoking is the strongest risk factor for constricting blood vessels and promoting thrombus production. Moderate amounts of alcohol are fine, but heavy drinking can raise blood pressure and harm heart health.

 * Stress Management: Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases blood pressure and puts a strain on the blood vessels. It is important to relieve stress through meditation, yoga, and hobbies.

Prevention is the best treatment for cerebral infarction. I hope that this guide will be the first step toward a healthy life for you. If you have experienced any of the signs of cerebral infarction while reading this, don't hesitate to visit the hospital immediately. Your golden time is running at this moment, too.