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About Stroke
What is stroke?
According to the American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2005 Update, about 700,000 Americans will
have a stroke this year — that’s someone every 45 seconds. Stroke is our nation’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of severe,
long-term disability. Some population groups, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican
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)
Ischemic stroke accounts for about 88 percent of all cases. Ischemic strokes occur as a result of an obstruction from within a
blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. The underlying condition for this type of obstruction is the development of fatty
deposits lining the vessel walls. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
have a stroke this year — that’s someone every 45 seconds. Stroke is our nation’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of severe,
long-term disability. Some population groups, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Mexican
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)
Ischemic stroke accounts for about 88 percent of all cases. Ischemic strokes occur as a result of an obstruction from within a
blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. The underlying condition for this type of obstruction is the development of fatty
deposits lining the vessel walls. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
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:
Sudden Change in Vision: dim, blurred or confused vision, or sudden loss of sight in one eye
Sudden Difficulty with Speech: slurred or sluggish speech, loss of words or difficulty understanding words
Sudden Unexplained Weakness: clumsiness or loss of strength in the face, hand, arm, and/or leg on one side of body
Sudden Change in Sensation: heaviness or unusual loss of sensation in the face, hand, arm and/or leg on one side of body
Sudden Severe Headache: unexplainable headache, often described as the first or worst headache ever
Sudden Unexplained Dizziness: severe and sudden dizziness, not related to any sudden change in head position
Sudden Difficulty with Speech: slurred or sluggish speech, loss of words or difficulty understanding words
Sudden Unexplained Weakness: clumsiness or loss of strength in the face, hand, arm, and/or leg on one side of body
Sudden Change in Sensation: heaviness or unusual loss of sensation in the face, hand, arm and/or leg on one side of body
Sudden Severe Headache: unexplainable headache, often described as the first or worst headache ever
Sudden Unexplained Dizziness: severe and sudden dizziness, not related to any sudden change in head position
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.
Top
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.
However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in
neurological complications on the side of the body if affects. For example, if the stroke occurs in the brain's right side, the left
side of the body will be affected.
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.
However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in
neurological complications on the side of the body if affects. For example, if the stroke occurs in the brain's right side, the left
side of the body will be affected.
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.
Following stroke, some areas of the brain may function normally while other areas do not. A person may seem as capable
as ever when doing one task, but then be completely unable to perform another task that does not seem to be any more difficult.
Often, this is confusing or frustrating to the individual because they do not understand why they get so tired when doing what
seems to be a simple task.
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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as ever when doing one task, but then be completely unable to perform another task that does not seem to be any more difficult.
Often, this is confusing or frustrating to the individual because they do not understand why they get so tired when doing what
seems to be a simple task.
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.
Top
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 2006. Peninsula Stroke Association. All rights reserved. |
| The Peninsula Stroke Association (PSA) is a not-for-profit organization serving the people of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in Northern California. 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. |
| To request copies of PSA's 'Stroke Stick Guy' in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese or Japanese please send an email to support@psastroke.org or call (650) 565-8485. |
