What is Stroke? Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die. ------------------------------------ What are the types of stroke? Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). A TIA (transient ischemic attack), or mini stroke, is caused by a temporary clot. -------------------------------------- What are the effects of stroke? The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow cant reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body wont work as it should. -------------------------------------- F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, youll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is: F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the persons smile uneven? A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like The sky is blue. Is the sentence repeated correctly? T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so youll know when the first symptoms appeared. ________________________________________ Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know • Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg, arm or face • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden severe headache with no known cause If someone shows any of these symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services. -------------------------------- Visit: strokeassociation.org for more stroke information.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 02:34:22 +0000
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