Stroke

Stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in Spokane County. Modifying risk factors for stroke can greatly reduce the risk of having a stroke and the severity of its outcomes. Risk factors for stroke, such as physical inactivity, hypertension, and smoking are also risk factors for other chronic health conditions.

What is stroke?

• A stroke, often times called a brain attack, happens when a blot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing brain tissue to die
• During a stroke, brain cells die immediately due to lack of oxygen after the interruption of brain flow
• Sudden bleeding in the brain will also cause a stroke and eventual damage to brain cells
• A stroke can lead to permanent brain damage, disability or even death

What happens during a stroke?

• During a stroke, brain cells die immediately due to lack of oxygen after the interruption of brain flow
• Sudden bleeding in the brain will also cause a stroke and eventual damage to brain cells
• A stroke can lead to permanent brain damage, disability or even death

Types of strokes:

• Ischemic stroke (85% of strokes) - the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked. Usually, blood clots cause the blockages that lead to ischemic strokes. 
• Hemorrhagic stroke- occurs when an artery in the brain leaks blood or breaks open (ruptures). The leaked blood puts unnecessary pressure on brain cells therefore damaging them.  
• Transient Ischemic Attack (“mini-stroke”) - a TIA is a warning sign of a future stroke and still considered a medical emergency.

Risk factors:

• Anyone, including children can have a stroke
• Age, sex and ethnicity can increase your risk for stroke, see link for specific details: http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/risk_factors.htm
• Unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol and not exercising
• High cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes

Signs and symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg. Especially if you’re experiencing it on only one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
• Sudden severe headache

Spokane Counts 2015 - Adult Stroke

If you see someone with any of the above symptoms:

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.

• Acting F.A.S.T. Is Key for Stroke
• Acting F.A.S.T. can help stroke patients get the treatments they desperately need. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for the most effective treatments if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.
• If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.¹ and do the following simple test:
  
  • F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  • A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
  • T—Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Note the time when any symptoms first appear. Some treatments for stroke only work if given in the first 3 hours after symptoms appear. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

Tips for stroke prevention:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Do physical exercise and be active
• Don’t smoke
• Limit alcohol use
• Prevent or treat other health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of adult disability. About 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year.

CDC Stroke Fact Sheet