What Is Stroke?

Stroke, also called a "cerebrovascular accident" or CVA, is a term often misused and misunderstood. There are conflicting definitions of stroke, stroke versus completed stroke and stroke-in-progress, and stroke versus infarction--even in the medical texts and literature. Below are several definitions offered by various organizations and agencies specializing in stroke and related disorders.

The National Stroke Association defines stroke as a "cerebrovascular injury that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clogged or burst artery. The interruption deprives the brain of blood and oxygen, and causes brain cells to die."

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There are Only Two Main Kinds of Stroke

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National Stroke Association's (NSA) Stroke Facts

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Stroke costs the United States $30 billion annually in health care costs and lost productivity. The average cost per patient for the first 90 days is $15,000. Acute stroke care costs $246 million per year in Mexico.

A stroke strikes every minute in America.

Four out of five American families will be affected by stroke during their lifetime.

Every year 550,000 Americans, 50,000 Canadians and 32,000 Mexicans experience a new or recurrent stroke.

Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability. Three million Americans are currently permanently disabled because of stroke. About one-third have mild impairments, one-third are moderately impaired, and one-third have severe impairments.

Males and females of all ages and races have strokes, but the following factors put people at higher risk for stroke:

• Age — over 55
• Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (brief episode of stroke symptoms)
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease, particularly atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes
• Carotid artery disease
• Race — African American
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Family history
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of exercise

The brain cells destroyed with the initial injury of stroke set off a chain reaction that also kills cells in the larger surrounding area. Stroke is a medical emergency, and every minute counts!

When brain cells die, function of the body parts they control is impaired or lost, causing paralysis, speech problems, memory and reasoning deficits, coma, and possibly death.

Approximately two-thirds of all strokes occur in people age 65 and over.

Strokes occur in men more than women, but women die more often as a result of stroke. In fact, stroke is the second leading cause of death in American women ages 45-64, killing more females than breast cancer.

Among adults age 50 or over, only 40 percent can identify a single stroke symptom (1991 Gallup survey). Recognizing these stroke symptoms and calling 911 could save your brain:

• One-sided weakness, numbness, or paralysis of face, arm, or leg
• Sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Difficulty speaking or understanding simple statements
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination, especially when combined with another symptom
• Sudden severe, unexplainable headache--often described as "the worst headache of your life."

NINDS "Warning Signs of a Stroke"

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke publishes the following Warning Signs of a Stroke:

• If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke or "brain attack," don't wait, call a doctor or 911 right away!
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.
• Sudden difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls, especially with any of the other signs.
• Warning signs may last a few moments and then disappear. They are signs of a serious condition that won't go away without medical help.

Risk Factors for a Stroke

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke publishes the following Risk Factors for a Stroke:

Stroke prevention is still the best medicine. The most important treatable conditions linked to stroke are:

• High blood pressure. Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise to reduce blood pressure. Drugs are also available.
• Cigarette smoking. Medical help is available to help quit.
• Heart disease. Your doctor will treat your heart disease and may also prescribe medication to help prevent the formation of clots. If you are over 50, NINDS scientists believe you and your doctor should make a decision about aspirin therapy.
• Diabetes. Treatment can delay complications that increase the risk of stroke.
• Transient ischemic attacks. These are brief episodes of stroke's warning signs and can be treated with drugs or surgery.

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