What is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when the brain does not get the blood it needs. Strokes can cause serious brain damage, disability or even death. There are two main ways a stroke can happen:
- a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot
- a blood vessel in the brain bursts and stops the supply of blood to part of the brain
There are two major types of stroke:
- Ischemic Stroke - Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke - When a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain. Read more about stroke using our health encyclopedia or watch a video about stroke.
Stroke warning signs
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially when it happens on just one side of the body
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking or trouble understanding
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
- sudden severe headache with no known cause.
There are advanced treatments for stroke at St. Anthony Hospital's Primary Stroke Center that can help stroke victims if they are seen in time. It is vital to call 911 and get treatment as soon as possible when you or someone you are with is showing signs of a stroke. Every Minute Counts!
Stroke is a medical emergency - every minute counts so know the signs and act F.A.S.T! Call 911 immediately if you or someone you are with have symptoms of stroke!
- Face - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Is one arm weak or numb?
- Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is speech slurred? Is the sentence repeated correctly?
- Time - If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately!
