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Stroke

• More information on stroke

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability. A stroke occurs when part of your brain doesn't get the blood that it needs. Depending on the parts of the brain damaged by a stroke, people who survive a stroke can have problems with:

• Movement
• Sensations
• Language
• Thinking and memory
• Emotions

A stroke happens fast. The most common signs of stroke are sudden:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (mainly on one side of the body)
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
• Confusion or trouble talking or understanding speech
• Very bad headache with no known cause

Women may also have other sudden symptoms, such as feeling sick to your stomach, face and arm or leg pain, hiccups, feeling very tired, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a racing heartbeat.

If you have any of these symptoms, call 911. Getting treatment within three hours from the start of symptoms increases your chances of walking away from a stroke with few or no disabilities.

African-Americans are affected by stroke more than any other group. The rate of stroke in African-American women is almost twice that of white women. African-American women also have a higher risk of dying from a stroke than white women. This is partly because African-Americans are more likely to have certain risk factors for stroke, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Sickle cell anemia
• Obesity
• Family history of stroke
• Lack of physical activity

Take these steps to lower your risk of stroke:

• Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Make physical activity a habit. Health benefits are gained by doing the following each week:
  • 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
    or
    
  • 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity
    or
    
  • A combination of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity
    and
    
  • Muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week
• Eat heart-healthy foods. Eat whole-grain foods, vegetables, and fruit. Choose lean meats and low-fat cheese and dairy products. Limit foods that have lots of saturated fat, like butter, whole milk, baked goods, ice cream, fatty meats, and cheese.
• Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Follow your doctor's orders to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels under control.

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More information on stroke

Explore other publications and websites

• African Americans and Stroke (Copyright © National Stroke Association) — African-Americans have a higher risk of stroke than whites. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. However, researchers have identified some of the things that place African-Americans at greater risk. This publication discusses these risk factors and the importance of making changes to reduce or eliminate these factors.
  http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AAMER
• Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke — This brochure provides information on stroke prevention. It includes stroke warning signs, an explanation of risk factors, and a description of treatable risk factors.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/preventing_stroke.htm
• Caring for Someone After a Stroke (Copyright © American Heart Association) — This fact sheet provides information on what a caregiver's role is when caring for someone who has had a stroke. It also provides information on where to go for help if you are feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities.
  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/CaringforSomeoneAfterStroke/Caring-for-Someone-After-Stroke_UCM_301860_Article.jsp
• Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. — This publication features information on what a stroke is, the signs and symptoms of stroke, and what can be done to prevent a stroke.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm
• Stroke and African Americans — This publication provides numerous statistics about African-Americans and stroke.
  http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=3022
• Stroke in African Americans (Copyright © National Stroke Association) — African-Americans are at high risk for stroke. But there are things you can do to reduce your personal risk. Read more about risk factors, and how to know if you’re having a stroke
  http://www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/AFAM.broch.pdf?docID=581
• Stroke: Hope Through Research — This brochure provides comprehensive information on stroke, including information on what a stroke is, what the risk factors are, and what research is being conducted in this area.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/detail_stroke.htm
• The Brain — Effects of Stroke (Copyright © American Medical Association) — This colorful diagram of the brain shows the damage a stroke can do and includes a glossary of stroke-related terms.
  http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/brain-effects-stroke.page
• Women and Stroke: Unique Symptoms in Women (Copyright © National Stroke Association) — Women can experience stroke symptoms differently than men. This fact sheet describes these unique symptoms and provides guidelines on how to act "F.A.S.T." and respond to an emergency situation.
  http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WOMSYMP

Connect with other organizations

• American Heart Association
  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
• CDC's WISEWOMAN — Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation
  http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center, NHLBI, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
• National Stroke Association
  http://www.stroke.org/site/PageNavigator/HOME

Content last updated May 18, 2010.

Resources last updated May 18, 2010.

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