Know Stroke
- What is a stroke?
- What causes a stroke?
- What disabilities can result from a stroke?
Know the Signs - What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- What should a bystander do?
Act in Time - Why is there a need to act fast?
- What is the benefit of treatment?
- What can I do to prevent a stroke?
What is a stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
What causes a stroke?
There are two major kinds of stroke. The first, called an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel or artery in the brain. About 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. The second, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 20 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic.
What disabilities can result from a stroke?
Although stroke is a disease
of the brain, it can affect the entire body. The effects of a stroke
range from mild to severe and can include paralysis, problems with
thinking, problems with speaking, and emotional problems. Patients
may also experience pain or numbness after a stroke.
Know the Signs
Because stroke injures the
brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke. To a
bystander, someone having a stroke may just look unaware or
confused. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them
recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:
- 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
If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side – call 911 immediately.
Act in Time
Stroke is a medical
emergency. Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The
longer blood flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage.
Immediate treatment can save people's lives and enhance their
chances for successful recovery.
Why is there a need to act fast?
Ischemic strokes, the most
common type of strokes, can be treated with a drug called t-PA, that
dissolves blood clots obstructing blood flow to the brain. The
window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three
hours, but to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to
get to the hospital within 60 minutes.
What is the benefit of treatment?
A five-year study by the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
found that some stroke patients who received t-PA within three hours
of the start of stroke symptoms were at least 30 percent more likely
to recover with little or no disability after three months.
What can I do to prevent a stroke?
The best
treatment for stroke is prevention. There are several risk factors
that increase your chances of having a stroke:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
If you smoke – quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control – and keeping them under control – will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.
>>This document has been edited to fit this page. To view the unedited document, click HERE.<<
