Loss of coordination on one side of the body. Sudden, severe, unexplained headache. Vertigo or dizziness combined with any of the above signs. If you recognized all the above as potential signs of stroke, you're right. If you or someone you know experiences any of these signs, call 911 immediately and get to a hospital.
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Brain damage caused by stroke is cumulative-the longer the interval between onset and treatment, the greater the likelihood of damage. Each year, more than half a million Americans suffer a stroke and 150,000 of them die. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to defend yourself and your loved ones against stroke and its consequences. It shares the same risk factors as heart disease. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting the blood flow to a portion of the brain.