Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
What Are the Types of Stroke?
Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing
the flow of blood to the brain or by a blood vessel
rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain.
Diagnosis of Stroke
When someone has shown symptoms of a stroke or a
TIA (transient ischemic attack), a doctor will gather
information and make a diagnosis. A doctor may use
many different tests. The ones listed here are just
some of the more common options.
Acute and PreventativeTreatments of Stroke
Because their mechanisms are different, the treatments
for the types of stroke are different.
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 can't reach the region that controls a particular
body function, that part of the body won't work
as it should.
Impact of stroke
Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the United
States, behind diseases of the heart and cancer.
Warning Signs
Learn To Recognize A Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. Know
these warning signs of stroke and teach them to others.
Every second counts:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or 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 you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. tPA is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset.
A TIA
or transient ischemic attack is a "warning stroke"
or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but
no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce
your risk of a major stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are
the same as those of stroke, only temporary. The short
duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain
injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.
Download the warning signs of stroke Download and print this fact sheet to learn
the warning signs and teach others.
Power To End Stroke The power is in your hands to prevent and overcome
stroke in African Americans.
Common Risk Factors Risk factors are traits and lifestyle
habits that increase the risk of disease. Extensive
clinical and statistical studies have identified
several factors that increase the risk of stroke.
Most of them can be modified, treated or controlled.
Some can’t.
How Cardiovascular & Stroke Risks Relate Both coronary heart disease and stroke
share many of the same risk factors such as cholesterol
disorders, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes,
physical inactivity, and being overweight or obese.
Controlling Risky Conditions Learn more about how many conditions contributing
to the risk of stroke or recurrent stroke can be
controlled.
Know the Facts Heart disease and stroke are major health
risks for all people. But African Americans are
at particularly high risk.
Stroke Among Hispanics Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of
death among Hispanics. One study found that hemorrhagic
strokes occurred more commonly in Hispanics than
in any other sub-group.
Hidden Risk Factors for Women This year, more than 100,000 U.S. women
under 65 will have a stroke. Stroke is not a geriatric
disease. And it's not confined to elderly overweight
smokers who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Stroke & Heart Disease
American Heart Association
May
is American Stroke Month
Overwhelmed with questions after your loved one had a stroke? We can help. Check out the American Stroke Association's 15 tips for coping with your new role as a stroke caregiver. Learn about recovery expectations, therapy, resources and preventing secondary stroke.
Follow the path to managing your blood pressure
Learn your risk, understand your treatment plan, master home monitoring and track your progress toward your blood pressure goal with our suite of online blood pressure management tools.
Light through the Fog
Stroke and other diseases leave families negotiating a healthcare system that's neither friendly nor rational at a financially and emotionally devastating time. Read stories of two stroke families that used a third-party patient advocate organization.
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=spacer}
