What’s a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain burst (ischemic stroke) or are blocked (hemorrhagic stroke). When a blood clot blocks blood vessels or a vessel bleeds into brain tissue, the brain does not receive oxygen and fails to work properly, preventing parts of the body from working properly as well. About 80% of strokes are triggered by a blood clot.
Brain damage can occur within minutes of a stroke so it is extremely important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical assistance. Symptoms include: sudden numbness, paralysis, weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body, new problems with walking or balance, sudden vision changes, drooling or slurred speech, new problems speaking or understanding simple statements, feeling confused and sudden, severe headaches that are different from past headaches. A stroke can be diagnosed within 3 hours of experiencing symptoms.
Treatments vary based on the type of stroke. For an ischemic stroke, medicine is given to dissolve blood clots. For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required, as well as other medicines. After having a stroke, stroke therapy may be recommended by your doctor in order to regain mobility.
In order to prevent a stroke, it is important to avoid smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, get at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week, stay at a healthy weight, control your blood pressure and cholesterol level, keep your sugar levels as close to normal as possible if you are diabetic and limit your alcohol intake.
