About Strokes
All you need to know about strokes, condensed
What is a stroke?
A stroke is when part or all of the brain is cut off from blood, and therefore, oxygen. It is basically a heart attack, but in the brain. Strokes can happen to anyone at any time.
Recognizing a stroke
Recognizing a stroke early on is very important because it can help prevent permanent damage. Some of the tell-tale signs of a stroke are slurred or strange speech, face drooping on one side, sudden headache or blurred vision, and numbness or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice one or more of these symptoms.
Facts about strokes
- nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year
- a stroke happens every 40 seconds
- stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the US
- someone dies from a stroke every 4 minutes
- stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability
- up to 80% of strokes can be prevented