Responding to Stroke

Recognizing Stroke Warning Signs

Having a stroke can be devastating. Knowing the signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from a stroke can be life-saving. Many small strokes called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA's) happen without being properly identified as strokes until after they have passed and functional disabilities present themselves. According to the American Stroke Association, the longer it takes to get medical attention, the higher your chances are of lost brain function.33 And even though most people completely recover, TIA's can be warning signs of an oncoming significant stroke.34

Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke can make a difference. According to the American Stroke Association, these are the warning signs:

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body •Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
•Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you or a loved one experiences any of these warning signs, call 911 for immediate medical help.

Responding to Stroke

Getting immediate medical attention can make a significant difference in the outcome of a stroke. A study published in 2006 quantified the damage caused to brain tissue for every minute and hour a stroke is left untreated. The study estimated approximately 1.9 million neurons are destroyed per minute during an untreated stroke.35 On average, the human brain has 22 billion neurons that will die off naturally through the aging process. For every hour a stroke is untreated, the brain ages approximately 3.6 years.35

Receiving medical care for stroke might include intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to destroy the embolism, or blood thinners to help increase blood flow to the deprived brain tissue. The sooner treatment is administered the better the chances are of sustaining less-permanent damage.

In many cases, the person having the stroke might not be able to call 911 or to communicate coherently that a problem is occurring. If you are at risk for stroke, making sure your family, caregivers, and friends understand and recognize the warning signs of stroke is important. Discuss the ASA's warning signs with those around you and make sure their first response is to call 911.