Stroke 101: What is a Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, is a medical emergency. “A stroke occurs when the blood
supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, which means the brain is deprived of oxygen and food.
Within minutes, brain cells start to die,” explains Tiffany Macey, MSN, FNP-C, and Augusta Health Stroke
Program Coordinator. “So prompt treatment is very important. A fast reaction can mean less brain
damage and fewer complications.”
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a leading cause of serious, longterm disability. Most people who survive strokes are left with some sort of disability that requires
rehabilitation.
First, there are two major types of strokes—the Ischemic Stroke and the Hemorrhagic Stroke.
The Ischemic Stroke is when arteries are blocked by blood clots or a gradual build-up of plague.
The blockage can either occur in one of the arteries that supplies blood to the brain, or it can be
formed in another blood vessel and travel to the brain. About 90% of strokes are ischemic.
The Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. High blood
pressure is the most common cause of a hemorrhagic stroke. Although only about 10% of
strokes are hemorrhagic, they account for about 30% of all stroke deaths.
More important than knowing the types of strokes is knowing the symptoms of stroke and what to do
when these symptoms occur. According to Macey, common symptoms of stroke are:
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Trouble walking—dizziness, stumbling, loss of balance or loss of coordination;
Trouble speaking or understanding what is said—confusion, slurred words, inability to find the
right words to express a thought;
Numbness on one side of the body—sudden weakness or paralysis, inability to smile;
Trouble with vision—blurred vision, blackened vision or double vision;
Headache—sudden and severe, may be accompanied by vomiting or dizziness.
When these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention. Because every minute counts, call 911
right away. It is not a good idea to wait to see if the symptoms will disappear. Augusta Health’s Stroke
Program staff suggests this “FAST” test can help recognition of, and response to, stroke symptoms:
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F (Face):
A (Arms):
S (Speech):
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T (Time):
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or
strange?
If these symptoms are observed, call 911 or get to the nearest stroke center.