Signs of Stroke

Signs and Warnings of Stroke

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke is a disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain. This causes the brain cells in the area beyond the disruption to die because they do not get the oxygen they need from the blood.

A stroke can be cause by either a blockage (ischemic stroke) or by a rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Most strokes are caused by a blockage. When a blockage is the cause of the stroke, it can be caused by a blood clot or by a particle of other material. An ischemic stroke is similar to a heart attack but occurs in the brain. It is sometimes referred to as a "brain attack."

What Are the Warning Signs of a Stroke?

A helpful way to remember the warning signs is to BE FAST:

• Balance: Does the person have a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• Eyes: Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes? Does the person have a visual change?
• Face: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
• Arms: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech hard to understand or strange?
• Time: If you notice one or more of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. This is an emergency.

What Is the Difference Between a Tia and a Stroke?

Sometimes people experience stroke-like symptoms that only last a very short time, sometimes only a few minutes. These may be due to a "mini-stroke" called a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA.

TIAs are important warning signs of strokes. Many people ignore these warnings because the symptoms get better very quickly. This can be dangerous because TIAs can progress to a stroke that does not get better.

Often, there are treatments that can be started to prevent a TIA from becoming a stroke, or at least to reduce the chance of a stroke happening.

What Should I Do if I Am Having Stroke-Like Symptoms?

The key to stroke care and recovery is early detection and medical attention. Far too often, stroke sufferers do not receive medical care because the warning signs, which may last only a few minutes, are ignored.

If you or someone you know is experiencing stroke-like symptoms, you should call 911.

An ambulance can take you to a hospital that can treat strokes. It is important to have your symptoms evaluated at the hospital, even if they go away before you get there.

There are medications available for treating some strokes which can help prevent disability caused by strokes. While not everyone will be able to receive these special medications, the quicker you are evaluated, the more likely this treatment will be an option for you.

Stroke Support Group

The Gloucester Stroke Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 am. The group is held free of charge and pre-registration is not necessary.

For more information, please contact Brooke Fanning 978-922-3000 ext. 2235 or Eileen Consentino ext. 2159.