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What is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, that area of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, causing brain cells to die.
Thus, recovery from stroke and the specific ability affected depends on the size and location of the stroke. For example, a small stroke may result in problems such as weakness in an arm or leg. A larger stroke may cause paralysis (inability to move part of the body), loss of speech, or even death.
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What are the two types of stroke?
Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.
- Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel is blocked. This is the most common type of stroke (~ 87% of all strokes).
- Hemorrhagic stroke (brain bleed) occurs when a blood vessels bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues. This type of stroke is less common (~ 13% of all strokes).
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What are the most common stroke symptoms?
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
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What happens to the brain when a stroke occurs?
The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. The area of dead cells in tissues is called a stroke (or infarct). When cells die, chemicals are released that can cause even more cells to die.
The earlier a stroke patient gets to the emergency department, the better the chance they will be able to receive treatment that stops or reduces the amount of brain damage from the stroke.
When brain cells die, functions that were under control of those brain cells are lost. This may include impaired language, speech, movement, thinking and memory, bowel and bladder, eating, emotional control, and other vital body functions. Specific abilities lost or affected depend on where in the brain the stroke occurs and on the size of the stroke.
Other important but less common stroke symptoms
- Sudden nausea and vomiting
- Brief loss of consciousness or period of decreased consciousness (fainting, confusion, convulsions or coma)
Use FAST to remember the warning signs!
- F – Face; ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
- A – Arms; ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S – Speech; ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is there speech slurred or strange?
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T – Time; If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!
Call 911 if you see or have any of these symptoms!
Test Your Stroke Knowledge
Find out how much you know about strokes and what causes them with an online quiz from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.