Know Stroke

STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. EVERY MINUTE COUNTS WHEN SOMEONE IS HAVING A STROKE. It is important for everyone to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke and how to ACT FAST!

What is Stroke?

• 'Stroke' is a condition resulting from the blockage (ischemic stroke) or bursting (hemorrhagic stroke) of nutrient/oxygen carrying blood vessels to the brain.
• As the brain tissue continues to be deprived of oxygen, neurons (brain cells) begin to die.
• 1.9 Million neurons die every minute the brain is deprived of blood flow.
• As neurons die patients experience loss of function/malfunction of that region of the brain. Remember FAST to ACT FAST.
• About 1/4 of patients do experience a warning called a Transient Ischemic Attack (a TIA or a mini-stroke). A TIA does not leave permanent damage, but warns of an impending more serious stroke. It is therefore important that TIAs are treated urgently to prevent future strokes.

Identifying the Cause

Stroke treatment and prevention is based upon finding the reason for disrupted blood flow.

The most common first test is a CT scan to identify the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), followed by a CT angiogram to look for areas of blockage or potential weakness in the blood vessels of the brain, and the blood vessels in the neck that lead to the brain. Blocked or weakened arteries may require urgent treatment. Other tests such as an MRI, heart monitoring, echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and special blood tests may be done to look for further causes of stroke and to determine what urgent and/or long-term treatments are best for patients.

Remember FAST to ACT FAST

	Face is Asymmetric
	Arm is Weak
	Speech is Slurred
	Time to call 911