The key to surviving a stroke is knowledge of the acronym:
Stroke Facts
A stroke (brain attack) happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or blocked. When this occurs, the brain is not getting the proper levels of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. A stroke is a medical emergency. Early, quick treatment is critical. Early action can reduce brain damage and other potential complications
Types of Stroke
Ischemic Stroke: About 85 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes happen when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow (ischemia).
Hemorrhagic Stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or breaks. Brain hemorrhages result from many conditions that affect your blood vessels, including uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), overtreatment with anticoagulants (medicines that prevent blood clots/blood thinners) and weak spots along your blood vessel walls (aneurysms).
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)/Mini-stroke: Like an ischemic stroke, a TIA happens when a clot or debris blocks blood flow to part of your brain. A TIA doesn't usually leave lasting symptoms because the blockage is temporary. TIAs usually last less than five minutes.
Other common signs of stroke are:
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Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination
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Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
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Sudden severe headache with no known cause
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Sudden numbness of the face, arm, or leg
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Sudden confusion or trouble understanding others
If you think that you or someone you know is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. DO NOT TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE ER. Stroke is a medical emergency, and stroke treatment and outcomes depend on how fast you get to the hospital and the type of stroke the person had.