People who have a stroke may not realize what is happening to them or mistakenly choose to ignore the signs, thinking the problem will pass. The key to recognizing stroke symptoms is that they appear suddenly. Stroke warning signs are clues the body sends when the brain is not receiving enough oxygen. Making lifestyle changes and getting regular medical and prenatal care can help prevent stroke and significantly reduce the risk for other disorders such as dementia, heart disease, and diabetes. With timely treatment it is possible to save these cells and greatly reduce and reverse the damage. Knowing the signs of stroke and calling 911 immediately can help save a relative, neighbor, or friend. With stroke, “time is brain,” meaning that the sooner treatment begins, the better. Stroke causes permanent brain damage over minutes to hours. Some brain cells die quickly but many linger in a compromised or weakened state for several hours. Other brain cells die because they are damaged by sudden bleeding in or around the brain. Some brain cells die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients needed to function. Just like a heart attack, a stroke requires immediate medical attention. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or narrowed, or when a blood vessel bursts and spills blood into the brain. It is a sudden interruption of continuous blood flow to the brain and a medical emergency.

After effects from a stroke