learn about stroke

Stroke

Stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets clogged by a clot or bursts. The brain cells in that area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need. Treating a stroke patient within three hours of the time the symptoms first appear can greatly reduce disability. Stroke damage can affect your entire body including your ability to speak, walk, balance, think and remember. Stroke is Ohio's third leading cause of death and a major cause of serious disability.

Modifiable risk factors for stroke

These risk factors can be improved with lifestyle changes, medical monitoring or both.

o High blood pressure	o High blood cholesterol
o Obesity	o Physical inactivity
o Cigarette smoking	o Diabetes
o Heart disease	o Poor diet
o Sickle cell disease	o Extreme alcohol use
o Carotid or other artery disease	o Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
o Atrial fibrillation

Non-modifiable risk factors for stroke

These risk factors cannot be changed but are important charcteristics that should be considered when evaluating your risk for stroke. These include:

Increasing age
Sex
Family history
Race/ethnicity
Previous stroke/heart attack

Warning signs of stroke

· Sudden numbness or weakness 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.

These signs may last only a few minutes. They should not be ignored! If you or someone you are with shows any of these signs call 9-1-1 to get help right away!

Another way to remember stroke symptoms:

FACE Does the face look uneven?

Ask the person to smile.

ARMS Does one arm drift downward?

Ask the person to raise both arms.

SPEECH Does their speech sound strange?

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. For example, “The

sky is blue.” Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the

sentence correctly?

TIME If you observe any of these signs, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention / Links