View Locations

Stroke Education

Stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone else are experiencing stroke warning signs, call 911.

Stroke strikes "FAST"

Not sure whether a person's symptoms are a stroke? Act FAST and quickly take these steps.

F = Face drooping – Can the person smile? If not, that is a warning sign.
A = Arm weakness – Ask the person to raise both arms. If they cannot, that is another warning sign.
S = Speech difficulty – Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
T = Time to call 911 if the person exhibits any of the above symptoms.

Recognize symptoms of stroke

Sudden and severe headache
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden dizziness; trouble walking
Sudden confusion; trouble speaking
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg

What is a stroke?

Strokes are aptly referred to as a "brain attack." When there is an interruption of blood flow to the brain, either because of a clot or ruptured blood vessel, sudden brain damage occurs.

A person who is having a stroke requires immediate medical attention. The longer it takes to receive care, the more brain cells will die and the greater the risk of disability or even death.

Two types of stroke

Ischemic stroke is most common and accounts for 87 percent of strokes. Ischemic stroke is caused by a clot that prevents blood flow to the brain. The clot can either travel to the brain from another part of the body or can develop in an artery.

Hemorrhagic stroke is a second type of stroke which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common, but it's more deadly.