Stroke can strike silently. Many healthy individuals suddenly lose consciousness, fall into a coma, experience partial paralysis, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or are unable to articulate words. People often informally recommend brain supplements, "an cung" medicine (a traditional remedy), or even anticoagulants, hoping to prevent stroke. This is a dangerous mistake.

Stroke can result from cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage. Self-administering anticoagulants without a doctor's prescription and supervision can indirectly lead to ruptured brain blood vessels, resulting in hemorrhagic stroke and rapid death.

For some individuals, the body provides warning signals before a stroke occurs. This is common among those with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, or high blood lipids.

Be vigilant if you experience the following symptoms: A hypertensive crisis, sudden high blood pressure, severe headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

Prevention involves maintaining a healthy diet (reducing salt and animal fats), exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol and tobacco. Control underlying conditions: Take prescribed medication for blood pressure, diabetes, and blood lipids as directed by a specialist. Undergo health check-ups to detect early risks of atherosclerosis or cerebral vascular malformations.

Cerebral stroke is a disease that occurs suddenly, progresses quickly, and has severe complications. *Photo: Health*

Doctor Doan Du Manh

Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular and Stroke Center, Phuong Dong General Hospital