Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts (hemorrhagic stroke) or blood flow cannot reach the brain (ischemic stroke). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. 

For more information, click to play the video above or download the PDF for a free stroke risk assessment.

Although stroke affects people of all ages, genders and races, people over 55, males and African-Americans are the highest risk for stroke. Risk factors that are controllable include obesity or lack of physical activity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. These risk factors can be monitored and treated by a physician to reduce the risk of stroke. Hypertension increases the risk 1.5 times, high cholesterol 2.3 times and diabetes 1.8 times the baseline risk.  Having all three of these increases the risk 6.2 times. Factors that cannot be changed include gender, age, race and family history of stroke.   

Stroke is an attack on the brain. Strokes can be due to blockage of an artery depriving a portion of the brain of oxygen and nutrients (ischemia). If the lack of oxygen to the brain is short, it can lead to a short-lived attack called a transient ischemic attack or TIA. If it is prolonged, it leads to ischemic stroke. A stroke can also be due to a rupture of a blood vessel into or around the brain and is then called a hemorrhage. Approximately 83 percent of all strokes are ischemic in nature.   

Every stroke is different and the symptoms relate to the area of the brain that is affected. Signs and symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. They also include sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding and sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Other symptoms are sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or severe headache with no known cause. 

If you think someone is having a stroke, remember the 60-second test, F.A.S.T.:

F - FACE	Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop (uneven)?
A - ARMS	Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S - SPEECH	Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, "It's sunny out today." Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T - TIME	If you observe any of these signs, it's time to call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

If someone is having trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately! Remember to note the time when you started seeing symptoms. Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke can help save lives. 

CMC-NorthEast has 24-hour coverage for acute strokes by board-certified Neurologists located at NorthEast Neurology.