KNOW THE SIGNS. ACT IN TIME.

www.stroke.nih.gov 

1-800-352-9424 

NIH Publication No. 13-4872 

July 2013 

Stroke Strikes Fast. You Should Too. Call 911. 
Know Stroke 

Stroke is a leading cause of death 

and serious, long-term disability in 

adults in the United States. About 

795,000 new strokes are reported 

in the U.S. each year. The good 

news is that treatments are available 

that can greatly reduce the damage 

caused by a stroke. However, you 

need to recognize the symptoms of 

a stroke and get to a hospital quickly. 

Getting treatment within 60 minutes 

can prevent disability. 

WHAT IS A STROKE?
 

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain 

attack,” occurs when blood flow to the 

brain is interrupted. When a stroke 

occurs, brain cells in the immediate area 

begin to die because they stop getting 

the oxygen and nutrients they need 

to function. 

What causes a stroke? 

There are two major kinds of stroke. 

The first, called an ischemic stroke, is 

caused by a blood clot that blocks or 

plugs a blood vessel or artery in the 

brain. About 80 percent of all strokes 

are ischemic. The second, known as 

a hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a 

blood vessel in the brain that breaks 

and bleeds into the brain. About 20 

percent of strokes are hemorrhagic. 

What disabilities can result 

from a stroke? 

Although stroke is a disease of the 

brain, it can affect the entire body. 

The effects of a stroke range from mild 

to severe and can include paralysis, 

problems with thinking, problems with 

speaking, and emotional problems. 

Patients may also experience pain or 

numbness after a stroke. 
WHAT ARE THE

Because stroke injures the brain, 

you may not realize that you are 

having a stroke. To a bystander, 

someone having a stroke may just 

look unaware or confused. Stroke 

victims have the best chance if 

someone around them recognizes 

the symptoms and acts quickly. 

Know the Signs 

TROUBLE 

WALKING 

WEAKNESS 

ON ONE SIDE 

SYMPTOMS

OF A STROKE?
 

The symptoms of stroke are distinct 

because they happen quickly: 

■	 Sudden numbness or weakness of the 

face, arm, or leg (especially on one side 

of the body) 

■	 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking 

or understanding speech 

■	 Sudden trouble seeing in one 


or both eyes 


■	 Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, 


loss of balance or coordination
 

■	 Sudden severe headache with no
 

known cause
 

What should a bystander do? 

If you believe someone is having a 

stroke – if he or she suddenly loses 

the ability to speak, or move an arm 

or leg on one side, or experiences 

facial paralysis on one side – call 911 

immediately. 

TROUBLE 

SEEING TROUBLE 

SPEAKING 
	 	

Act in Time 

WHY IS THERE A NEED TO

ACT FAST? 

Ischemic strokes, the most common 

type of strokes, can be treated with a 

drug called t-PA that dissolves blood 

clots obstructing blood flow to the 

brain. The window of opportunity to 

start treating stroke patients is three 

hours, but to be evaluated and receive 

treatment, patients need to get to the 

hospital within 60 minutes. 

What is the benefit of treatment? 

A five-year study by the National 

Institute of Neurological Disorders and 

Stroke (NINDS) found that some stroke 

patients who received t-PA within three 

hours of the start of stroke symptoms 

were at least 30 percent more likely to 

recover with little or no disability after 

three months. 

How can I reduce my risk of stroke? 

The best treatment for stroke is 

prevention. Several factors increase 

your risk of having a stroke: 

■ High blood pressure ■ High cholesterol 

■	 Heart disease ■ Physical inactivity/ 

■ obesity Smoking 

■ Diabetes 

If you smoke – quit. If you have high 

blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, 

or high cholesterol, get them under 

control. If you are overweight, start a 

healthy diet and exercise regularly. 

Stroke is a medical emergency. 

Every minute counts when someone 

is having a stroke. The longer blood 

flow is cut off to the brain, the greater 

the damage. Immediate treatment can 

save people’s lives and enhance their 

chances for successful recovery.