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Each year in the United States, there are
more than 700,000 strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the
country. And stroke causes more serious long-term disabilities than any other
disease. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65
and the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of
55.
For African Americans, stroke is more
common and more deadly - even in young and middle-aged adults - than for any
ethnic or other racial group in the United States.
Learning about stroke can help you act in
time to save a co-worker, friend, or relative. And making changes in your
lifestyle can help you prevent stroke.
New treatments are available that greatly
reduce the damage caused by a stroke. But you need to arrive at the hospital
within 60 minutes after symptoms start to prevent disability. Knowing stroke
symptoms, calling 911 immediately, and getting to a hospital are critical.
A stroke is serious - just like a heart
attack. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Most often, stroke occurs
when blood flow to the brain stops because it is blocked by a clot. The brain
cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen
and nutrients they need to function.
There are two kinds of stroke. The most
common kind of stroke, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that
blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind of stroke, called
hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the
brain.
Stroke damage in the brain can affect the
entire body - resulting in mild to severe disabilities. These include paralysis,
problems with thinking, problems with speaking, and emotional problems.
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- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side
of the body)
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Because stroke injures the brain, you may
not realize that you are having a stroke. The people around you might not know
it either. Your family, friends, or neighbors may think you are confused. You
may not be able to call 911 on your own. That's why everyone should know the
signs of stroke - and know how to act fast.
Don't wait for the symptoms to improve or
worsen. If you believe you are having a stroke - or someone you know is having a
stroke - call 911 immediately. Making the decision to call for medical help can
make the difference in avoiding a lifelong disability.
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If you believe you are having a stroke -
or someone you know is having a stroke - call 911 immediately.
When I walked into the locker room at
work, I realized something was wrong. I couldn't speak. I tried to pick up my
lock, but my right hand couldn't grab it. One of my co-workers noticed something
was wrong and asked if I could write. With my left hand, I scribbled 911 on a
piece of paper. Luckily, my friend knew the signs of stroke and got help. She
called an ambulance, and I was rushed to the emergency room. The doctors ran
some tests and put a drug into my IV. Within 10 minutes I could speak again. I
didn't know a thing about stroke before I had one. Now, I make sure that all my
family knows the signs of stroke so they can get help if they need it.
Ruth Junious
Stroke Survivor
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Conditions that can cause stroke are very
common among African Americans. The best treatment for stroke is prevention. You
can reduce your risk of having a stroke by taking action to improve your health.
While family history of stroke plays a
role in your risk, there are many risk factors you can control.
- If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to get it under
control. Many people do not realize they have high blood pressure, which usually
produces no symptoms but is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Managing your high blood pressure is the most important thing you can do to
avoid stroke.
- If you smoke, quit.
- If you have diabetes, learn how to manage it. As with high blood pressure,
diabetes usually causes no symptoms but it increases the chance of stroke.
- If you are overweight, start maintaining a healthy diet and exercising
regularly.
WHY IS STROKE TREATMENT URGENT?
Every minute counts. The longer blood
flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage. The most common kind of
stroke, ischemic stroke, can be treated with a drug that dissolves clots
blocking the blood flow. The window of opportunity to start treating stroke
patients is three hours. But a person needs to be at the hospital within 60
minutes of having a stroke to be evaluated and receive treatment.
Talk to your doctor about your personal
risk factors for having a stroke. For more information about stroke prevention
and treatment, call the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
at 1-800-352-9424.
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- Manage your diabetes
- Eat right
- Control your high blood pressure
- Exercise
- Don't smoke
I had a stroke when I was 49 years old. I
am 67 now and have gone almost 20 years without another stroke. Until I had my
stroke, I didn't do anything good for my health. I had high blood pressure, I
was overweight, and I smoked. When bad things happen to people, they tend to
think "why me?" But, when I think about my stroke, I think "why not me?" I had
all the risk factors and wasn't taking care of myself like I am now. I've
learned a lot of important lessons from my stroke, which have caused me to
change my eating habits, quit smoking, and really control my high blood pressure
for the first time in my life. I hope people realize they can prevent stroke. It
doesn't have to happen to them.
Ted Turner
Stroke Survivor
top NIH Publication No. 04-5517
Back to Stroke Information Page.
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of
Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and
does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal
agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be
obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or
is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely
copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Last updated June 10,
2005
