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