Find out how much you know about strokes and what causes them.
1. A stroke is caused by a blood clot or blood vessel that breaks. This stops blood flow to an area of the brain.
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The blood clot or broken blood vessel causes part of the brain to suddenly not work. The brain needs oxygen and important nutrients. Without these, the brain cells in the affected area are harmed or they die within a few minutes. This can cause permanent damage.
2. All strokes are the same.
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There are 3 main types of strokes: thrombotic, embolic, and hemorrhagic.
Thrombotic stroke. This is caused by fatty deposits called plaques that have built up in the arteries carrying blood to the brain. These deposits slow the blood flow until a blood clot completely blocks an artery. This stops the flow of oxygen and nutrients to a part of the brain.
Embolic stroke. This is caused by a blood clot that forms in another part of the body. The clot breaks loose, travels through the bloodstream, and blocks an artery carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain. When traveling through the body, the blood clot is called an embolus.
Hemorrhagic stroke. This is caused when an artery breaks and bleeds into the brain. The broken blood vessel prevents needed oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain cells. Because the skull cannot stretch outward, pressure can build up inside the head from the leaked blood. This leads to more damage to the brain. One type of hemorrhagic stroke is caused when an artery that has weakened over time bulges (aneurysm) and suddenly breaks.
3. One symptom of a stroke is a sudden, unexplained tingling or numbness on one side of the body.
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Numbness or tingling on 1 side of the body is a symptom of a stroke. Another symptom is a sudden severe headache that happens for no reason. Other symptoms include blurred vision, trouble talking, stumbling, or sudden clumsiness. Sometimes a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) happens before a stroke. A mini-stroke lasts for only a few minutes.
4. If you have symptoms of a stroke, you should try to get some rest before calling the healthcare provider.
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A stroke is a medical emergency. You should get medical care right away. Research shows that treatment during the first hours after symptoms appear can help you recover from it. FAST is an easy way to remember and identify some common symptoms of a stroke:
F - Face. Does 1 side of the face droop when trying to smile?
A - Arms. Does 1 arm drift downward when raising both arms?
S - Speech. Is there a change in speech or slurred speech?
T - Time. If any of these signs are present, call 911 right away.
5. There's no way to predict if or when someone will have a stroke.
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It’s important to know what makes you more likely to have a stroke. Taking steps to lower your risk is an important step in preventing a stroke. The conditions leading to a stroke develop over many years. Risk factors or conditions that may lead to stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, heart disease, and diabetes. The risk of stroke goes up with age. It is also higher in Blacks and Hispanics than in whites.
6. Two important ways to reduce your risk for stroke are to lower your blood pressure and to stop smoking.
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Have your blood pressure checked often. If it is high, follow your provider's advice on how to lower it. Treating high blood pressure lowers the risk for both stroke and heart disease. Cigarette smoking makes it more likely that you will have a stroke. But research shows that the risk for stroke for people who have quit smoking for 2 to 5 years is lower than for smokers. It is never too late to quit smoking.
7. Regular exercise is another way to cut your risk for stroke.
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Researchers think that exercise may make your heart stronger and your circulation better. It also helps control weight. Being overweight makes it more likely for you to have high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Exercise like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and yard work lowers the risk for both stroke and heart disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program.
8. Strokes always leave people permanently disabled.
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Some people get better within weeks after a stroke. Other people may need many months or years to get better. Stroke rehabilitation includes many kinds of therapies:
Physical therapy to make your muscles stronger and balance and coordination better
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy to help your eye-hand coordination and the skills needed for daily tasks such as bathing and cooking
Watch what happens in the brain during a hemorrhagic stroke, its symptoms, and the importance of calling 911 if you think someone may be having a stroke.
