What You Need to 

Know About Stroke

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Know Stroke

Each year in the United States, there are more than 700,000 strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country. And stroke causes more serious long-term disabilitiesthan any other disease. Nearly three-quarters of all strokesoccur in people over the age of 65 and the risk of having a strokemore than doubles each decade after the age of 55. For African Americans, stroke is more common and more deadly— even in young and middle-aged adults — than for any ethnicor other racial group in the United States.Learning about stroke can help you act in time to save a co-worker, friend, or relative. And making changes in yourlifestyle can help you prevent stroke.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is serious — just like a heart attack. A stroke is sometimes called a “brainattack.” Most often, strokeoccurs when blood flow to the brain stops because it isblocked by a clot. The braincells in the immediate areabegin to die because they stopgetting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.

What causes a stroke?

There are two kinds of stroke. The most common kind ofstroke, called ischemic stroke,is caused by a blood clot thatblocks or plugs a blood vesselin the brain. The other kind ofstroke, called hemorrhagicstroke, is caused by a bloodvessel that breaks and bleedsinto the brain. 

What disabilities can resultfrom a stroke?

Stroke damage in the brain can affect the entire body — resulting in mild to severedisabilities. These includeparalysis, problems with thinking, problems with speaking, and emotional problems. 

KNOWSTROKE

Why is Stroke 

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TRO

SEE

WEAKNESS 

ON ONE SIDE

TROUBLE 

WALKING

What should you do?

Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke. The people around you might not know iteither. Your family, friends, orneighbors may think you are confused. You may not be able tocall 911 on your own. That’s why everyone should know thesigns of stroke — and know howto act fast. Don’t wait for the symptoms to improve or worsen. If you believe you are having a stroke — or someone you know is having a stroke — call 911 immediately.Making the decision to call for medical help can make the difference in avoiding a lifelong disability.

Know the Signs. Act in Time.

Stroke Symptoms:■ 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

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hen I walked into the locker room at work, I realized 

something was wrong. I couldn't speak. I tried to

pick up my lock, but my right hand couldn't grab it. One ofmy co-workers noticed something was wrong and asked if Icould write. With my left hand, I scribbled 911 on a piece 

of paper. Luckily, my friend knew the signs of stroke andgot help. She called an ambulance, and I was rushed to theemergency room. The doctors ran some tests and put adrug into my IV. Within 10 minutes I could speak again.I didn’t know a thing about stroke before I had one. Now, I make sure that all my family knows the signs ofstroke so they can get help if they need it. 

Ruth Junious Stroke Survivor

W

A 911 Call Saved My Life.

CALL 911If you believe you are having having a stroke — call 911 i

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Conditions that can cause

stroke are very commonamong African Americans.The best treatment for strokeis prevention. You can reduceyour risk of having a stroke by taking action to improveyour health. 

Every minute counts. The lois cut off to the brain, the greThe most common kind of strstroke, can be treated with a dissolves clots blocking the bThe window of opportunity to stroke patients is three hoursneeds to be at the hospital wof having a stroke to be evalureceive treatment. 

WHY IS STRO

Know Stroke Prevention

What can you do to prevent a stroke?

While family history of stroke plays a role in your risk, there are many risk factors you can control.

■ If you have high blood pressure, 

work with your doctor to get it under control. Many people do not realize they have high bloodpressure, which usually produces no symptoms but is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.Managing your high bloodpressure is the most important thing you can do to avoid stroke.

■ If you smoke, quit.■ If you have diabetes, learn 

how to manage it. As with highblood pressure, diabetes usuallycauses no symptoms but it increases the chance of stroke.

■ If you are overweight, start 

maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Where Can You Learn More Talk to your doctor about your For more information about stNational Institute of Neurologi

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had a stroke when I was 49 years old. I am 67 now 

and have gone almost 20 years without another

stroke. Until I had my stroke, I didn't do anything good formy health. I had high blood pressure, I was overweight, andI smoked. When bad things happen to people, they tend tothink "why me?" But, when I think about my stroke, I think"why not me?" I had all the risk factors and wasn't takingcare of myself like I am now. I've learned a lot of importantlessons from my stroke, which have caused me to changemy eating habits, quit smoking, and really control my high blood pressure for the first time in my life. I hope people realize they can prevent stroke. It doesn't have tohappen to them. 

Ted Turner 

Stroke Survivor

I

I Hope People Realize They Can Prevent Stroke.

STROKE PRE■ Manage your diabetes ■ Control your high blood pr■ Don’t smoke

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www.ninds.nih.gov

1-800-352-9424

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESNational Institutes of HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

NIH Publication No. 04-5517April 2004Produced by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a component of the National Institutes of Health, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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