Stroke Symptoms

• Numbness or weakness of the arm, leg or face (especially on one side of the body)
• Trouble seeing from one or both eyes
• Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Onset of a severe headache with no known cause
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech

Stroke Facts

• Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. It’s also a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Getting treatment for stroke victims quickly is often crucial to prevent disability. View our stroke facts infographic.
• A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they are deprived of oxygen and nutrients they need to survive.
• Neurologists deal with two major kinds of stroke. About 85 percent of strokes result from blood clots that block or plug a blood vessel or artery in the brain. These are called ischemic strokes. About 13 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain.
• Common risk factors of stroke include smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, A-fib, physical inactivity or obesity. If you feel you’re at risk, seek medical consultation as soon as possible.