Think of a stroke as a “brain attack.” Just like any other organ in the body, the brain needs a constant supply of blood to work correctly. When a stroke occurs, it means there is a blocked blood vessel due to a clot or bleeding in the brain as a result of a rupture. Therefore, a blood vessel that carries oxygen and other nutrients stops flowing to part of the brain. Consequently, a portion of the brain does not receive the blood and oxygen it requires in order to function and therefore it and other brain cells may die.
Types of Strokes
The two main types of strokes are ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic strokes account for 87 percent of all strokes and happen when there is an obstruction, or blood clot, within a blood vessel. Obstructions are often caused by a build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits and stop blood flow from reaching certain areas of the brain.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke accounts for 13 percent of all strokes and happens when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue resulting in increased pressure on the brain and causing harm to distant brain tissue, such as damaging or killing nearby brain cells. Aneurysms and brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) are the two instances where weakened blood vessels cause a hemorrhagic stroke.
Preventing a Stroke
Over 80 percent of strokes are preventable. The best way to help prevent a stroke is to understand the risk factors and adjust your lifestyle accordingly, if possible. Regular medical checkups and talking with your healthcare provider about stroke risk factors and how to change them are your best defense.
Treatable Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Circulation problems
- High cholesterol
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial fibrillation and other heart disease
- Excessive alcohol intake
Untreatable Risk Factors
- Age - those over age 55 have a higher stroke risk
- Gender - males have higher stroke risk
- Race - African-American, Pacific/Islander and Hispanics have a higher stroke risk
- Heredity - those with a family member who have had a stroke have a higher stroke risk
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or previous stroke increases your stroke risk
Stroke Warning Signs - B.E. | F.A.S.T.
The signs of a stroke are usually very sudden and are not always obvious or dramatic. It is important to recognize subtle stroke symptoms because early treatment is the key to a successful recovery.
Signs of a stroke include:
- B | Balance. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
(Ask the person to walk in a straight line or touch their finger to their nose.) - E | Eyes. Are there sudden vision changes?
(Ask if the person has double vision or cannot see out of one eye.) - F | Face. Does one side of the face droop?
(Ask the person to smile.) - A | Arm. Does one arm drift downward?
(Ask the person to raise both arms.) - S | Speech. Are words slurred? Is speech confused?
(Ask the person to repeat a sentence.) - T | Time. What time did the symptoms begin? When was the person last seen looking or acting normally?
During a stroke every second counts. If you see someone experiencing these stroke symptoms,call 911 immediately.
Additional Stroke Information
To learn more about stroke prevention and treatment, review the additional pages in this section. For questions regarding the Saint Francis Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center in Tulsa, contact Cameron Richardson, MSN, RN, ASC-BC, program manager, via email or by calling 918-501-0494 .
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Warren Clinic Interventional Neurology - Tulsa Area
Warren Clinic Neurology - Tulsa Area