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About Stroke
What is stroke?
Stroke is our nation’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of severe, will long-term disability. Some population groups, including
African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, disability. Some population groups, including
African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, . Some population groups, including African
Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, have a Americans, have a higher than average risk.
Recent studies also indicate that the risk of stroke may be higher in women during pregnancy and the six weeks following
childbirth. Stroke kills more women that breast cancer.
Stroke is a medical emergency!
A stroke occurs when there is damage to the brain, initiated by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. It is a disease of the
vascular system. Stroke is commonly called a Brain Attack.
Blood flow to the brain tissue can be interrupted in two ways:
• the vessel clogs from within (ischemic stroke)
• the vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, disability. Some population groups, including
African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, . Some population groups, including African
Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican Americans, have a Americans, have a higher than average risk.
Recent studies also indicate that the risk of stroke may be higher in women during pregnancy and the six weeks following
childbirth. Stroke kills more women that breast cancer.
Stroke is a medical emergency!
A stroke occurs when there is damage to the brain, initiated by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. It is a disease of the
vascular system. Stroke is commonly called a Brain Attack.
Blood flow to the brain tissue can be interrupted in two ways:
• the vessel clogs from within (ischemic stroke)
• the vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 12 percent of stroke cases. It results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and
bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. The two types of
hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Approximately 10% of
hemorrhages occur within the brain (intracerebral), and approximately 6 to 7% occur in the fluid space around the brain
(subarachnoid).
bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. The two types of
hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Approximately 10% of
hemorrhages occur within the brain (intracerebral), and approximately 6 to 7% occur in the fluid space around the brain
(subarachnoid).
Transient ischemic attacks, also called TIAs, are warning signs of future strokes. In a TIA, the symptoms are the same as
those experienced in a typical stroke. However, the obstruction (blood clot) remains only for a short time. The symptoms go away,
usually within a few minutes, but sometimes up to a few hours.
Even though the symptoms disappear after a short time, TIAs are strongly associated with a future possible major stroke.
Steps should be taken immediately to prevent the impending stroke.
People who have already had one stroke or TIA have a higher risk of having another stroke. It is important for stroke survivors,
caregivers and family members to know stroke symptoms. If you or someone you know ever experiences acute onset of
stroke symptoms, especially if two or more are present, CALL 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room.
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those experienced in a typical stroke. However, the obstruction (blood clot) remains only for a short time. The symptoms go away,
usually within a few minutes, but sometimes up to a few hours.
Even though the symptoms disappear after a short time, TIAs are strongly associated with a future possible major stroke.
Steps should be taken immediately to prevent the impending stroke.
People who have already had one stroke or TIA have a higher risk of having another stroke. It is important for stroke survivors,
caregivers and family members to know stroke symptoms. If you or someone you know ever experiences acute onset of
stroke symptoms, especially if two or more are present, CALL 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room.
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If you or someone you know ever experiences acute onset of stroke symptoms, especially if two or more are present, CALL
911 or go to your local hospital emergency room. Following you will find the six most common symptoms of stroke:
911 or go to your local hospital emergency room. Following you will find the six most common symptoms of stroke:
Medical treatment in the first 3 hours is critical to minimize the damage and maximize recovery. If you have stroke caused by a
clot, you may be able to receive the clot-bursting drug t-PA.
A sudden change in someone's ability to function is not normal, and a "wait and see" attitude could mean a life of disability.
Brain injury is progressive, so symptoms should not be ignored.
To schedule a stroke workshop in your community, place of worship or work place, please contact us at:
support@psastroke.org or call (650) 5658485.
To request educational materials please contact us at: support@psastroke.org or call (650) 5658485.
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clot, you may be able to receive the clot-bursting drug t-PA.
A sudden change in someone's ability to function is not normal, and a "wait and see" attitude could mean a life of disability.
Brain injury is progressive, so symptoms should not be ignored.
To schedule a stroke workshop in your community, place of worship or work place, please contact us at:
support@psastroke.org or call (650) 5658485.
To request educational materials please contact us at: support@psastroke.org or call (650) 5658485.
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The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions this is why stroke affects each person differently
depending on what area of the brain was injured, the severity and type of injury, and how recently the stroke occurred. Each
stroke and its effects are unique to each stroke survivor.
Stroke also has consequences unique to the side of the brain or hemisphere that was affected.
Stroke survivors with LEFT hemisphere brain injury, may experience any or all of the following:
Stroke survivors with RIGHT hemisphere brain injury, may experience any or all of the following:
Stroke Survivors with BRAINSTEM and CEREBELLAR injury, may experience any or all of the following:
depending on what area of the brain was injured, the severity and type of injury, and how recently the stroke occurred. Each
stroke and its effects are unique to each stroke survivor.
Stroke also has consequences unique to the side of the brain or hemisphere that was affected.
Stroke survivors with LEFT hemisphere brain injury, may experience any or all of the following:
- Weakness, paralysis or altered sensation on the right side of the body.
- Aphasia: difficulty or an inability to speak and write (expressive aphasia) and/or difficulty understanding spoken and
written language (receptive aphasia). - Problems with numerical recognition and calculations (dyscalculia).
- The most common associated emotional reactions are anxiety and depression.
Stroke survivors with RIGHT hemisphere brain injury, may experience any or all of the following:
- Weakness, paralysis or altered sensation on the left side of the body.
- Distorted spatial and perceptual awareness including left sided neglect and problems judging distance, size, position
and rate of movement. - Problems expressing emotions, recognizing the emotions of others, reading “body language” and with social judgment.
- Apparent lack of concern or awareness of their disability and tend to be impulsive.
Stroke Survivors with BRAINSTEM and CEREBELLAR injury, may experience any or all of the following:
- Incoordination of arm and/or leg and/or trunk resulting in difficulty standing, walking and difficulty carrying out tasks with
one or both arms even though the extremities are not weak or paralyzed. - Double vision.
- Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia) and or difficulty speaking (Dysarthrya).
- Crossed or bilateral weakness and/or numbness and/or incoordination.
Sometimes the person's pattern of behavior is inconsistent. They may have good days and bad days or some patterns of
behavior may fluctuate during the day. Behaviors and performance often get worse when the person is tired or is exposed to too
many sensory stimuli. Also, some people experience depression and/or lack of motivation because of their brain injury.
Medications may be required to help balance the chemistry of the brain post-injury.
The main goal of post-stroke rehabilitation is to help survivors become as independent as possible and to attain the best
possible quality of life. Even though rehabilitation does not "cure" stroke in that it does not reverse brain damage, rehabilitation
can substantially help people achieve the best possible long-term outcome. Rehabilitation may help stroke survivors relearn
skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged or teaches survivors new ways of performing tasks to circumvent or
compensate for any residual disabilities.
There is a strong consensus among rehabilitation experts that the most important element in any rehabilitation program is
carefully directed, well-focused, repetitive practice - the same kind of practice used by all people when they learn a new skill,
such as playing the piano.
Post-stroke recovery is dependent upon the extent of injury and is a continuum. The brain reorganizes itself dependent upon
the person's individual environment and his or her personal situation. Recovery from stroke may be a lifelong endeavor.
Nevertheless, most individuals do continue to improve and frequently can achieve a satisfying existence.
To find information about resources for stroke survivors and their families in your community please click here. To find a
support group for stroke survivors and caregivers click here.
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Last updated February 3, 2006.
| Peninsula Stroke Association 3801 Miranda Avenue, Building 6, Room A162, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Phone (650) 565-8485 Fax (650) 565-8482 support@psastroke.org © Copyright 2009. Peninsula Stroke Association. All rights reserved. |
| PSA's mission is to reduce the incidence of stroke through education and to help alleviate stroke's devastating aftermath through programs to support survivors and caregivers. |
| 'Stroke Stick Guy' in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese or Japanese please send an email to support@psastroke.org or call (650) 565-8485. |
