Every year, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke. About 75 percent of these strokes are first time strokes. With so many people at risk for having a stroke for the first time, it’s important to know and understand the types of strokes and the signs and symptoms to watch for.

Types of Stroke

One common misconception is that a stroke is something related to the heart. Many people lump a stroke in with cardiovascular diseases and conditions. Risk factors are similar to those of cardiovascular disease, including obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. However, strokes impact the brain.

Ischemic Strokes

About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic strokes. These strokes happen when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked. This often happens because of a blood clot in the heart breaking free and traveling through the blood stream until it reaches a blood vessel in the brain which is too small to let the clot pass through. Another cause of an ischemic stroke is a blood clot developing where there is fatty plaque buildup in the blood supply to the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations cause hemorrhagic strokes when weakened blood vessels burst. The blood seeps into the surrounding brain, restricting and tightening the tissue.

Transient Ischemic Attack

Also known as a TIA or a ‘warning stroke,’ a transient ischemic attack is a temporary block of blood to the brain caused by a clot. Even though the clot normally fragments or breaks free after a few minutes, medical attention is necessary immediately. Getting care can help determine the cause and risk of a future stroke.

Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and taking immediate action can make a huge difference in recovery and quality of life following the event. If you notice these signs or symptoms in yourself or someone around you, dial 9-1-1. Use the acronym BE FAST to help you remember the signs of a stroke.

• BALANCE: Look for someone who is having trouble with balance or having difficulty walking.
• EYES: Changes in vision, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight, are signs that someone is having a stroke.
• FACE: Does the person’s face droop on one side, especially when that person smiles?
• ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms up. If one arm hangs down or is numb, this person may be having a stroke.
• SPEECH: Listen for slurred speech or even an inability to speak.
• TIME: If any of these symptoms are present, it’s time to call 911.

Time is of the Essence

Time spent waiting for an acute headache to pass or resting rather than getting medical care may be a big difference in your quality of life following a stroke. Putting off a call for help may even mean the difference between life and death. Take stroke symptoms seriously. Call an ambulance to be sure you get to a stroke-capable hospital quickly. Every minute is important when it comes to an interruption of blood flow to the brain. The longer it takes to get stabilized the more likely it is there will be a lasting impact to speech, motor, and other functions. Some signs of a stroke may seem minor, but you should not take them that way.

Current treatments can help achieve better outcomes, and there is no time to waste.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/ischemic-stroke-clots

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/hemorrhagic-strokes-bleeds

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/tia-transient-ischemic-attack