Understanding Stroke: A SUDDEN ACT

What is a Stroke?

• Stroke is a brain attack that happens when blood flow to your brain stops. It can be because of a blocked (ischemic) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic).

• A mini-stroke or TIA happens when the blood flow is blocked for a short time but doesn’t cause lasting deficits.

What places you at risk for Stroke?

• Strokes can happen for many reasons. A few causes include:

  • High blood pressure

  • Smoking

  • Diabetes.

• Bad habits like eating unhealthy, not exercising, and drinking too much alcohol can increase risk.

How to Tell if Someone is Having a Stroke?

• Symptoms are sudden. Remember the mnemonic SUDDEN ACT:

  • Speech Difficulty: Trouble speaking or understanding speech.

  • Unexplained imbalance: Sudden loss of balance/coordination, leaning to one side.

  • Double Vision: Experiencing double or blurred vision.

  • Drooping face: One side of the face may droop.

  • Eye Problems: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

  • Numbness: Sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg.

  • Arm Weakness: Weakness or difficulty moving one or both arms.

  • Confusion: Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

  • Time to call 911.

• For those that would like a shorter one, remember the mnemonic FAST:

  • Face drooping

  • Arm weakness

  • Speech difficulty

  • Time to call 911.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Doctors use special pictures of the brain (like MRI or CT scans) and blood tests to find strokes.

• Treatment can be medicine (tPA or TNK) to dissolve clots or surgery.

• After a stroke, people may need therapy to help them gain their strength, ability to speak, and do daily activities.

How can we decrease our chances of having a stroke?

• To decrease your chances of having a stroke: eat healthy, exercise regularly, don't smoke, and avoid drinking alcohol.

• Take care of your health: watch your blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol.

• Regular check-ups with your PCP for your high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol are important.

Living with Stroke

• Having a stroke can change a person’s life and their family, but there's a lot of support out there. From doctors and therapists to support groups – there's help. And remember, every stroke survivor's journey is unique!

• Many people have recovered from strokes and live full lives.

Conclusion

• Remember, strokes are serious and knowing about them can help you or others tremendously.

• Act FAST, if you see someone having stroke symptoms.

For further information: American Stroke Association