Nicole phoned her grandfather for help. Twenty minutes later, Leo Schafers rushed his wife to the hospital. A CAT scan showed that Joye had suffered a stroke. A stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries of the central nervous system. Burst or clogged vessels cut oxygen to the brain.
Nerve cells die, and areas controlled by the damaged region react.
That's why a stroke can steal memories and the ability to walk or speak. Just 20 years ago, doctors were powerless against strokes. But 10 years ago, promising drugs emerged and understanding of stroke grew. Now it is lack of awareness among victims that often renders doctors powerless. Recent studies show that Americans are oblivious to the risk factors and symptoms of strokes.