
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. It is the
fourth leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability.
A stroke strikes
FAST, and you should too. Responding quickly can save lives.
Stroke is an emergency! It’s important to learn stroke warning signs
and how to respond to them.
If you think you are having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Stroke is a brain injury caused by an interruption in blood flow. Brain
tissue that does not get oxygen and nutrients from blood can die within
minutes. The damage to the brain can cause a sudden loss in bodily functions.
The types of function that are affected will depend on the part of the
brain that is damaged.
There are two blood flow problems that cause a stroke. Strokes may be ischemic or hemorrhagic.
An ischemic stroke occurs when something stops the flow of blood. It may be a buildup or swelling of the walls of the blood vessels and/or something in the blood that becomes stuck in the blood vessel. A blockage in a small blood vessel will affect a smaller area of the brain. A blockage in larger blood vessels can block the flow of blood to several smaller blood vessels, leading to more brain damage.
The blockage may be the result of one or more of the following:
Certain factors increase your risk of stroke but cannot be changed, such as:
Other factors that may increase your risk can be changed such as:
Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of stroke. Management or prevention of these conditions can significantly decrease your stroke risk:
Risk factors specific to women include:
Symptoms occur suddenly. Exact symptoms will depend on the part of the brain affected. Rapid treatment is important to decrease the amount of brain damage. Brain tissue without blood flow dies quickly.
Call for emergency medical services right away if you notice any of the following sudden symptoms:
A physical exam will be done to look for muscle weakness, visual and speech problems, and movement difficulty. If possible, you will be asked about your symptoms and medical history.
Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with:
Blood tests can also help determine if there is a bleeding problem.
Immediate treatment is needed to open the blocked blood vessel. This should restore blood flow to the brain tissue and stop further damage.
Treatment after immediate care will aim to:
Supportive care may also include:
Due to COVID-19, the stroke survivor group has been put on hold.
Certain patients will receive a group of drugs called thrombolytics. These medications can rapidly dissolve blood clots. They are often given by IV but can be delivered directly to the arteries where the blood clot is. These medications need to be given within hours after the start of symptoms to be effective. That is why it is important to get medical help right away if stroke symptoms develop.
Aspirin and other medications that decrease the risk of blood clot formation may be recommended after immediate care. These medications may prevent future strokes.
To help manage other health issues and decrease the risk of future strokes, your doctor may recommend medication to:
A surgery may be done to allow blood flow back into the affected area, such as:
A stroke can cause swelling in the brain. A decompressive surgery, such as craniotomy, may be needed to relieve the pressure in the brain to prevent damage.
Other surgeries may be performed following a stroke to prevent a recurrence. These surgical options include:
If brain tissue was damaged, rehabilitation can be an important part of your recovery. Rehabilitation may include:
Many of the risk factors for stroke can be changed. Lifestyle changes that can help reduce your chance of getting a stroke include:
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