What Is A Stroke?
According to the American Stroke Association, a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (called an ischemic stroke) or bursts (called a hemorrhagic stroke). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
What are the risk factors for stoke?
The American Heart Association believes that there are some risk factors that can be changed and others that cannot:
| Can Be Changed | Can’t Be Changed |
| High Blood Pressure | Prior Stroke, TIA, or Heart Attack |
| Smoking | Age – 55 or over |
| Alcohol and Drug Abuse | Heredity or Race (African Americans higher risk) |
| Poor Diet or Obesity | Gender-men more common than women |
| Other Heart Disease |
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
To minimize the effects of a stroke and reduce permanent disability, people need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, as well as the importance of seeking medical help within the first 3 hours after symptoms begin. Someone who has suffered a stroke may experience symptoms such as:
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3-Hour Window
The most crucial time after a stroke is the first 3 hours. As stated by Stroke.com,” once a person has a stroke, every minute that passes by is one minute lost in this precious three-hour window” during which Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) can be administered. tPA is a potent blood thinner used by emergency room and stroke doctors to dissolve artery-clogging blood clots, which cause 80% of all strokes. tPA dissolves these blood clots and allows blood flow to return to affected areas, thus preventing further damage. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that tPA is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration for the acute treatment of an ischemic stroke.
If administered within the first 3 hours after stroke symptoms occurs, tPA can be a tool to help minimize the effects of a stroke and reduce permanent disability.
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