What is a stroke?
Stroke is the term doctors use when a part of the brain is damaged because of a problem with blood flow. Strokes can happen when:
- An artery going to the brain gets clogged or closes off, and part of the brain goes without blood for too long
- An artery breaks open and starts bleeding into or around the brain
How do strokes affect people?
The effects of a stroke depend on a lot of things, including:
- Which part and how much of the brain is affected
- How quickly the stroke is treated
Some people who have a stroke have no lasting effects. Others lose important brain functions.
How can you tell if someone is having a stroke?
There is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. The symptoms usually come on suddenly. Just think of the word “FAST” . Each letter in the word stands for one of the things you should watch for and what to do about it:
- Face – Does the person’s face look uneven or droop on one side?
- Arm – Does the person have weakness or numbness in one or both arms? Does one arm drift down if the person tries to hold both arms out?
- Speech – Is the person having trouble speaking? Does his or her speech sound strange?
- Time – If you notice any of these stroke signs
Other symptoms can also be signs of a stroke. These include trouble seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, and loss of balance or coordination.
How are strokes treated?
The right treatment depends on what kind of stroke you are having. You need to get to the hospital very quickly to figure this out.
People whose strokes are caused by clogged arteries can:
- Get treatments that help reopen clogged arteries. These treatments can help you recover from the stroke.
- Get medicines that prevent new blood clots. These medicines also help prevent future strokes.
People whose strokes are caused by bleeding can:
- Stop taking medicines that increase bleeding, or take a lower dose
- Have surgery to remove the blood clots.
Can strokes be prevented?
Many strokes can be prevented, though not all. You can greatly lower your chance of having a stroke by:
- Taking your medicines exactly as directed. Medicines that are especially important in preventing strokes include:
- Blood pressure medicines
- Medicines called statins, which lower cholesterol
- Medicines to prevent blood clots, such aspirin or blood thinners
- Medicines that help to keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible (if you have diabetes)
- Making lifestyle changes:
- Stop smoking
- Get regular exercise
- Lose weight, if you are overweight
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats, sweets
- Eat less salt (sodium)
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
-If you are a woman, do not drink more than 1 drink a day
-If you are a man, do not drink more than 2 drinks a day