Strokes are serious business. About 730,000 Americans each year have a stroke, and someone in the United States experiences a stroke every minute of the day.
Strokes are the nation's leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death.
But they don't have to be such a threat. The effects can include blindness and the inability to speak, walk or move various body parts. Strokes are usually caused by high blood pressure or a hardening of the arteries. Symptoms can include dizziness, loss of vision, severe headaches, slurred speech and numbness in arms or legs. Anyone with symptoms should call a doctor right away.