CARE RECIPIENT HEALTH

Q. My father has a number of health issues that make me wonder if he's a candidate for a stroke. What are the signs to look for if you think someone is having a stroke?

According to Roger S. Kersten, DO, FACC, practicing cardiologist at Cardiology and Internal Medicine of Long Island, New York, "symptoms can include sudden weakness or changes in sensation, including numbness or tingling in a focal area of the body, such as an arm or a leg or both, but usually on the same side of the body. Similar symptoms may occur on the face, but usually on only one side." Other indications include "difficulty speaking, slurred speech, impaired balance, or sudden loss or near loss of vision in one eye."

Certain health issues can increase one's risk, adds Dr. Kersten, including "hypertension, previous strokes or mini-strokes [TIAs], being older than 65, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol and low heart function."

If a stroke is suspected, Dr. Kersten advises, "get immediate medical help. Rapid administration of certain medications may decrease the disability [that could result]."