Stroke - Topic Overview
A stroke occurs when a blood
vessel in the brain is
blocked or bursts . Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain
starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain
can't work properly.
Brain damage can begin within minutes. That's why it's so important to know the symptoms of stroke and to act fast. Quick treatment can
help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full
Symptoms of a stroke happen
quickly. A stroke may cause:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is
different from past headaches.
If you have any of these symptoms, call911or other emergency services right away.
See your doctor if you have
symptoms that seem like a stroke, even if they go away quickly. You may have
transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a
mini-stroke. A TIA is a warning that a stroke may happen soon. Getting early
treatment for a TIA can help prevent a stroke.
There are two types of
"iss-KEE-mick") stroke happens when a blood clot blocks a
blood vessel in the brain. The clot may form in the blood vessel or travel from
somewhere else in the blood system. About 8 out of 10 strokes are ischemic strokes. They are the most common type of stroke in older
hemorrhagic (say "heh-muh-RAW-jick") stroke develops when an artery in the
brain leaks or bursts. This causes bleeding inside the brain or near the
surface of the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are less
common but more deadly than ischemic strokes.
You need to see a doctor right away. If a stroke is diagnosed quickly—right after symptoms start—doctors may be able to use medicines that can help you recover better.