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Stroke

According to the CDC, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year — roughly one person every second. Every three and a half minutes, another person dies of stroke in the US. A stroke occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain is suddenly interrupted. When blood flow ceases, the brain receives no oxygen. Nerve cells can’t function and they die within minutes. Because these brain cells cannot be replaced or regenerated, this can cause brain damage, or even death.

Could you be at risk for stroke? Take our short assessment.

Types of Strokes

  • Ischemic Stroke is caused by plaque buildup in a brain artery or by a blood clot that makes its way up to the brain, lodges in a brain artery, and blocks blood flow. This is the cause of 87% of all strokes.
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke happens when an artery leading to the brain suddenly ruptures, causing bleeding. The blood pools in the brain and puts pressure on surrounding tissue. Hemorrhagic stroke is due to a blood vessel abnormality, either a weakness in the blood vessel wall (aneurysm) or a malformation known as an AVM (arteriovenous malformation). In people who have these abnormalities, high blood pressure increases the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is a hemorrhagic stroke in which the bleeding between the brain and the skull.
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), sometimes called a ‘’Mini Stroke” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short time. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but they usually last only a few minutes. About 15% of strokes are preceded by a TIA.

Symptoms of Stroke

The earlier stroke treatment begins, the greater a person’s chance of surviving without permanent brain damage. That’s why stroke specialists say, “time is brain.” Never ignore any of the below symptoms:

  • Difficulty feeling or moving on one side of the body
  • Slurred speech or trouble speaking
  • Weakness of an arm or leg, however brief
  • Momentary loss of vision
  • Darkening of vision in one eye
  • A shade or curtain coming down over one eye
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Fainting or feeling faint
  • Drooping on one side of the face

Use B-E F-A-S-T if You Suspect a Stroke

Use B-E F-A-S-T to keep stroke symptoms top-of-mind and recognize them when they occur.

B is for BALANCE:

Look for balance issues or leg weakness.

E is for EYES:

Check for signs of visual changes.

F is for FACE:

Look for an uneven smile and one-sided facial droop

A is for ARM:

Check for weakness in an arm or leg

S is for SPEECH:

Listen for changes in speech or inability to talk

T is for TIME:

Call 911 immediately. Time is brain!

Never ignore stroke symptoms, even if they pass, as in a TIA. Call 911 or seek medical emergency medical attention immediately. If you think you, or someone else, may be having a stroke, call 911. NEVER drive when you are experiencing stroke symptoms. You could pass out behind the wheel.

Recognized for Excellence in Stroke & Heart Care
Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura, has been certified as a Primary Stroke Center by both DNV and the Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency. Certification signifies that the services we provide have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in treating stroke patients, and in improving outcomes. In recognition of our high standards in stroke care, we have also earned the American Stroke Association’s Gold Plus Achievement Award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Achievement Award.