What is a stroke:
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped or blocked. Brain cells start to die within few minutes of a stroke. Problems related to a stroke may include weakness in an arm of leg, paralysis and loss of speech, dependent on the level and severity of the stroke. Immediate attention is important for someone having a stroke. The American Heart Association says stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and can lead to long term disability.
Stroke Types and Symptoms:
Ischemic stroke, the most common stroke, is when a blood clot blocks blood flow in a vessel in the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke is blood vessel ruptures/breaks and bleeds into the brain.
Common symptoms of a stroke are:
- Severe headache without a known reason,
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Speech may be garbled.
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arm of leg on the same side of the body
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance and loss of coordination
ACT FAST: Use the acronym BEFAST to help identify a stroke
B= Balance – Does the person have sudden loss of balance?
E= Eyes – Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?
F=Face – Does the person’s face look uneven?
A= Arms – Is one arm weak or numb?
S= Speech – Is the person’s speech slurred? Does the person have trouble
speaking or seem confused?
T= Time – Call 911 NOW! Every minute counts
Stroke Prevention:
- Do not smoke or stop smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Blood pressure control
- Manage your cholesterol
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight