Before reviewing the stroke presentations, it is important to understand how stroke occurs, what symptoms it may cause and how it is treated. When there is an abrupt interruption in the constant flow of blood to the brain, an abrupt loss of neurologic function may simultaneously occur. Blood vessels may break open and leak blood into the brain producing a hemorrhagic stroke. Alternatively, blood vessels may become plugged by clots originating outside the cranium, or within the brain's own blood vessels. The strokes caused by plugs are called ischemic strokes, meaning that no blood can get to the damaged tissue.
Ischemic strokes are more common, but hemorrhagic strokes are far more deadly.
It is the third leading cause of death in the United States and it is our No. 1 cause of disability. Over 3 million people are currently living with physical and mental impairments attendant to a stroke. In the United States, someone has a stroke every 53 seconds and every 3.3 minutes someone dies of one. This has been studied extensively and several important facts are evident. First, although stroke can strike anyone, the risk doubles with each decade after age 50.