Samantha Juste was a British model and television presenter who became famous in the 1960s as the “disc girl” on the BBC show Top of the Pops. She also married Micky Dolenz of the Monkees and had a daughter, Ami Dolenz, who became an actress. But her life was cut short by a stroke in 2014, when she was only 69 years old. What is a stroke and how can it be prevented? Here are some facts and tips to help you understand this serious condition.
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What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. This prevents part of the brain from getting the blood and oxygen it needs, and causes brain cells to die. Depending on the area of the brain affected, a stroke can cause various symptoms, such as:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The sooner a person gets medical attention, the better their chances of survival and recovery. According to The Independent, Samantha Juste suffered a stroke in her sleep on February 2, 2014, and died three days later in Los Angeles.
What are the risk factors for stroke?
Some factors that increase the risk of stroke are beyond our control, such as age, gender, race, family history and previous strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). However, there are many other factors that we can modify or treat to reduce our risk, such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep)
- Stress
- Illicit drug use
By managing these risk factors, we can lower our chances of having a stroke. According to Wikipedia, Samantha Juste had high blood pressure and diabetes, which may have contributed to her stroke.
How can we prevent stroke?
The best way to prevent stroke is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes:
- Eating a balanced diet that is low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol
- Exercising regularly for at least 150 minutes per week
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking or avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
- Limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men
- Checking blood pressure regularly and taking medication if prescribed
- Controlling blood sugar levels if diabetic
- Taking medication for high cholesterol if prescribed
- Taking medication for atrial fibrillation if prescribed
- Treating sleep apnea if diagnosed
- Managing stress effectively
- Avoiding illicit drug use
In addition, we should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke and act fast if we notice them in ourselves or others. The American Stroke Association recommends using the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember what to do:
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
By following these steps, we can help save lives and prevent disability from stroke.
Conclusion
Samantha Juste was a beautiful and talented woman who left a lasting impression on many people. Her death from a stroke was tragic and unexpected. However, her story can also serve as a reminder of the importance of preventing and treating stroke. By knowing the risk factors, symptoms and prevention strategies for stroke, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from this devastating condition.
