Stroke
On this page
- Causes of a stroke
- Symptoms of a stroke
- If you have a stroke
- Diagnosing a stroke
- Treating a stroke
- Preventing a stroke
- Effects of having a stroke
Causes of stroke
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. Brain cells in the injured area become damaged or die.
A stroke can happen when a:
- blood vessel in the brain tears, causing bleeding in the brain
- blood clot (thickened blood) travels to the brain, stopping the flow of blood to brain cells
- this is the most common type of stroke
During a stroke, brain cells die and the body parts they control are affected. The health effects of a stroke depend on the size of the clot and area of the brain that was damaged.
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Symptoms of a stroke
The signs and symptoms of a stroke are the same for both males and females.
Symptoms of stroke can happen suddenly or they can come and go over a few days. The main warning signs and symptoms of stroke include:
- weakness on one side of your body
- numbness or tingling in your face, arm or leg
- trouble speaking or understanding what others say
- vision problems, such as double vision or being unable to see, especially in one eye
- dizziness, such as losing your balance, especially if you’re also showing other signs
A helpful way to remember the signs of stroke is to think of the word FAST, which stands for:
Face: Is it drooping?
Arms: Can you raise both?
Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?
Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
Act FAST because the quicker you act, the more of the person you save.
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Mini-stroke
Some people experience what is called a mini-stroke. This is when a blood vessel becomes briefly blocked by a small clot and you are affected for less than 24 hours.
The symptoms of a mini-stroke are the same as a stroke. Even if the symptoms go away quickly, see your health care provider. Without treatment, you could be at risk for stroke within 5 years. A mini-stroke is an important warning sign that blood flow to your brain isn’t functioning properly.
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If you have a stroke
If you or anyone you know has any of the warning signs, call 9-1-1 or your emergency number right away. You could help improve survival and recovery.
The first 4 and a half hours after a stroke are very important for getting medical help. You might be able to take drugs that can reduce or undo the effects of a stroke.
Always take an ambulance if you think you might have had a stroke. You may not realize you’re unable to focus properly to drive. If you can, bring someone who has been with you while you experienced symptoms. They can give important information about your symptoms to your health care provider.
Ideally, you should be at the hospital within the first hour after your symptoms start.
Do not:
- lie down to rest
- wait to see if the symptoms go away
- wait to see if you have any pain, as there may be no pain with a stroke
Go to the hospital even if more than 4 and a half hours have passed or your symptoms have disappeared.
If you have had a mini-stroke, you still need to go to the hospital.
Diagnosing a stroke
Your health care provider may conduct a number of tests to determine if you’ve had a stroke. If you have had one, they’ll find out what type of stroke you experienced.
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Treating a stroke
Treatment for a stroke and mini-stroke can include:
- medications to prevent blood clots
- lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity
- efforts to lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- surgery to remove artery plaque (a mix of fats, calcium and cholesterol) or blood clots
Your health care provider may need to prescribe medication to manage:
- fever
- blood pressure
- bleeding in the brain
- high or low blood sugar
Managing some of these other issues can reduce the stress on your body so your brain can heal better.
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Preventing a stroke
There are many different ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke and other heart-related conditions. These include:
- regularly monitoring your blood pressure
- eating a variety of healthy foods
- being physically active regularly
- maintaining a healthy weight
- quitting (or not starting) smoking
- managing stress
- limiting alcohol use
While the risk for a stroke increases as you get older, even young people can have a stroke.
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Effects of having a stroke
Depending on the type of stroke and the timing of intervention, the effects vary from mild to severe.
Physical effects of stroke can include:
- another stroke
- communication problems
- weakness and balance problems, which increase your risk of:
- falling
- swallowing issues
- bowel and bladder issues
Having a stroke puts you at higher risk of:
- fatigue
- paralysis
- depression
- vision problems
- loss of sensation
- thinking problems
- mobility limitations
- swallowing problems
- worsened bowel and bladder problems
- worsened communication problems, including trouble:
- writing
- reading
- producing or understanding speech
Who is most at risk
You’re at higher risk of a stroke, and other heart diseases and conditions, if you:
- have high blood pressure (hypertension)
- have atrial fibrillation
- smoke
- live with diabetes
- already have a blood clotting problem
- are taking oral contraception
- are a female experiencing life changes such as pregnancy or menopause
- are a female who is 55 years of age or older
- are a male who is 45 years of age or older
Learn more:
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
- Tobacco and stroke
- Tobacco and heart disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Health effects of smoking and second-hand smoke