According to the American Heart Association, nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke each year. One person has a stroke in the United States approximately every 40 seconds. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States each year, accounting for one death in every 18 people. It is often thought to occur only in adults, but the National Stroke Association reports six out of every 100,000 kids under the age of 15 have a stroke each year. The good news is that the stroke death rate declined almost 30% from 1995 to 2005.
Types of Stroke
A stroke occurs when the brain is not getting enough blood flow. Not having enough blood and oxygen in the brain causes brain cells to die, which can lead to death or permanent disabilities in stroke patients. There are two different types of stroke. The most common type is called an ischemic stroke and occurs when blood vessels to the brain are blocked. Blood vessels can be blocked by a blood clot or by plaque slowly building up in arteries over time, such as in people with high cholesterol.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel breaks or pops, leading to bleeding on the brain known as a hemorrhage. This can happen when blood pressure is high for too long or when an aneurysm breaks.
Symptoms of a Stroke
Stroke symptoms usually come on suddenly. Things to watch for include:
- weakness or numbness on one side of the body, particularly seen in the face, arm or leg
- difficulty speaking or understanding
- confusion
- vision loss
- difficulty walking or dizziness
- severe headache
If someone experiences sudden onset of any of these symptoms, time is of the essence. The sooner the patient is treated, the less likely they are to die or face permanent disability. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if symptoms might be related to a stroke. The National Stroke Association has developed a quick test that anyone can use to help decide if the patient might be having a stroke. This test is called Act F.A.S.T. and can be performed by anyone. Act F.A.S.T. consists of three simple questions to ask the patient:
- Face: ask the person to smile. Is the face drooping in one side?
- Arms: ask the person to raise both arms in front of them. Is one arm drooping?
- Speech: ask the person to repeat a short sentence. Can they remember the words or do they have slurred speech?
- Time: if the patient shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Time means brain cells!
For further information on stroke and heart disease, checkout the American Heart Association or the National Stroke Association.
References:
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2009;119;e21-e181. circ.ahajournals.org. Accessed April 12, 2010.
Kids and Stroke. National Stroke Association. stroke.org. Accessed April 12, 2010.
Stroke 101. National Stroke Association. stroke.org. Accessed April 12, 2010.
Melissa Murfin - Melissa is a physician assistant in endocrinology with a further specialization in thyroid and parathyroid disorders. She is also a ...
