Stroke

The Basics

• A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.



• Brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.



• Abilities such as speech, movement and memory are lost.

http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=stroke

Types of Strokes

• Ischemic Stroke
  -Most common type of stroke

-caused by a clot or other blockage within an artery leading to the brain

• Intracerebral Hemorrhage
  - caused by the sudden rupture of an artery within the brain

-Blood is released into the brain compressing brain structures.

• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  - caused by the sudden rupture of an artery

-differs from an intracerebral hemorrhage

-leads to blood filling the space surrounding the brain rather than inside of it

http://www.webmd.com/stroke/guide/stroke-symptoms-types

Controlling risk factors for stroke

• Have regular medical checkups


• Control high blood pressure


• For diabetics, keep blood sugar levels as close to normal


• Control any disorders that effect blood vessels


• Take cholesterol-lowering medications if you have high cholesterol


• Don't smoke


• Limit alcohol


• Stay at a healthy weight


• Be active

http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1192533

Signs that indicate that a person is having a stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (one side of the body)


• Sudden confusion


• Trouble speaking or understanding speech


• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes


• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination


• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm