What is a Stroke?

A stroke or "brain attack" occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.

Am I at risk for a stroke?

Anyone can have a stroke. But your chances for having a stroke increase if you meet certain criteria. Some of these criteria, called risk factors, are beyond your control -- such as being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke. Other stroke risk factors are controllable.

Prevention

80% of all strokes are preventable. National Stroke Association's stroke prevention guidelines will help you learn how you may be able to lower your risk for a first stroke.

Stroke Prevention Guidelines:

• Know your blood pressure.
• Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.
• If you smoke, stop.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Find out if you have high cholesterol
• If you are diabetic...
• Exercise.
• Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
• Circulation (movement of the blood through the heart and blood vessels) problems.
• Know the Symptoms of Stroke.

  Recovery:

  Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a stroke. Through rehabilitation, you relearn or regain basic skills such as speaking, eating, dressing, and walking. The goal is to improve function so that you become as independent as possible.

  Depending on the effects of your particular stroke, your health insurance coverage, and your budget, stroke rehabilitation options may include:
  

• A rehabilitation unit in the hospital
• A subacute care unit
• A rehabilitation hospital
• Home therapy
• Home with outpatient therapy
• A long-term care facility that provides therapy and skilled nursing care

  (Courtesy of www.stroke.org)