Warning Signs and Symptoms

What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or when a blood vessel ruptures, interrupting blood flow to the brain. This leads to destruction (infarction) of brain cells within minutes in the immediate area of compromised blood flow.

When brain cells die, normal bodily functions controlled by the dying brain are lost. A chemical reaction occurs that also endangers cells in the surrounding area where blood flow is limited, but not completely stopped. These cascading events occur rapidly, creating a limited amount of time for effective treatment. Therefore, it is critical for stroke victims to obtain Emergency Room treatments aimed at re-establishing blood flow and reducing the amount of damage from stroke.

Every second counts in minimizing the amount of brain function that can be lost due to stroke.

Help cut the risk for yourself and the people around you by taking steps to prevent stroke, learning the warning signs and seeking treatment right away if you notice symptoms.

The 3R's of Stroke

1. Reduce Your Risk

• Treat high blood pressure.
• Don't smoke.
• Manage diabetes if you have it.
• Work with your doctor to treat heart disease.
• Keep your cholesterol levels within healthy ranges.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Drink no more than one (for women) or two (for men) alcoholic drinks daily.

Some medical treatments also can help reduce stroke risk. Drugs such as aspirin and warfarin keep blood from clotting as easily, and surgeons can remove plaque from a partially blocked carotid artery and use stents to help open clogged blood vessels.

2. Recognize Symptoms

• numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
• confusion or trouble talking or understanding
• trouble seeing
• difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• severe headache with no known cause

3. Respond right away
If someone is experiencing stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. With every minute that goes by, more precious brain cells are lost. There is a limited window of opportunity for intervention; with is chemic strokes (caused by a blockage), clot-busting drugs can help if they are started within three hours after symptoms first began.