Get serious about stroke

Stroke is a serious medical condition and a leading cause of disability in North America. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

Sometimes called a brain attack, or a cerebrovascular accident, a stroke happens when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This can deprive the brain of oxygen and cause brain cells to begin to die within minutes, warns the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

A stroke is a medical emergency. If someone is suspected of having a stroke, emergency personnel should be called immediately. Every minute counts when a person is suffering a stroke, and medical personnel can begin potentially life-saving treatment on the way to an emergency room.

Symptoms of stroke

Sometimes symptoms of stroke can occur out of nowhere, and other times there may be subtle signs that something has been brewing. The Mayo Clinic says these are the most common signs of stroke.

· Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. This may include slurred words or trouble understanding speech.

· Paralysis can occur in the face, arm or leg. Numbness or weakness also may occur. This often affects just one side of the body.

· Sometimes there is trouble seeing in one or both eyes, including blurry or blackened vision.

· Headaches will come on severely, and can be accompanied by vomiting, altered consciousness or dizziness.

· Someone having a stroke may stumble or lose balance and experience coordination issues.

The National Stroke Association and other organizations use the acronym FAST to educate the public about detecting signs of stroke.

· F (Face): Ask the person to smile and look for drooping on one side.

· A (Arms): Have the person raise both arms and check to see if one arm drifts downward or cannot be raised.

· S (Speech): Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and check for slurring or strange sounds.

· T (Time): Call 911 or emergency medical help immediately if any of these indicators are present.

Types of stroke

There are different types of stroke. Most strokes are ischemic strokes, says the CDC. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot or other particles like fatty deposits block blood vessels to the brain.

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures. High blood pressure and aneurysms often are culprits in hemorrhagic stroke.

Transient ischemic attacks, also called mini-strokes, serve as warnings of a future stroke. Blood clots often cause these as well.

Diagnosing and treating stroke

Doctors will use various imaging techniques to check for brain and blood vessel health if there is risk for stroke. Blood pressure and other general health assesments can give doctors an idea of potential risk factors for future stroke incidents.

If blood clots are present, doctors may use medication, stents and surgery to break up or address clots.

Stroke is a medical emergency. Individuals are urged to take stroke risk seriously and act promptly if symptoms are present.