Stroke is the term doctors use when a part of the brain is damaged because of a problem with blood flow.
Strokes can happen when:
- An artery going to the brain gets clogged or closes off, and part of the brain goes without
blood for too long.
- An artery breaks open and starts bleeding into or around the brain.
How do strokes affect people?
The effects of a stroke depend on a lot of things, including:
- What kind of stroke it is
- Which part and how much of the brain is affected
- How quickly the stroke is treated
People who have a stroke can lose important brain functions. For example, some people become partly paralyzed or unable to speak. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The symptoms of a stroke usually start suddenly.
One way to help remember stroke symptoms is to think of the words “BE FAST
- Balance – Is the person having trouble standing or walking?
- Eyes – Is the person having trouble with their vision?
- Face – Does the person’s face look uneven or droop on 1 side?
- Arm – Does the person have weakness or numbness in 1 or both arms? Does 1 arm drift down if they try to hold both arms out?
- Speech – Is the person having trouble speaking? Does their speech sound strange?
- Time – If you notice any of these stroke signs, call for an ambulance. You need to act FAST. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of
A stroke caused by bleeding in the brain can also cause a sudden, severe headache.
