Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the world. There are 2 main types of stroke - an ischemic stroke (lack of oxygen caused by blood clots) or a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by blood vessel rupture). Whatever the cause, either event leads to the interruption of blood flow to the brain, which causes sudden
loss of brain function.
The amount of disability caused by a stroke depends on how long and how severe the stroke damage was to the brain. There is another type of stroke called the mini-stroke, also known as transient ischemic attack, which affects the carotid
arteries and can also cause disability. It is a stroke warning sign and should not be ignored.
It is important to catch the warning signs of stroke early, which can reduce the amount of damage on the brain. If you notice stroke symptoms, seek emergency medical help right away. Get someone to call 911 or immediately take you to the hospital.
Don't wait until it's too late. Find out about your risk factors for stroke and what you can do to improve your overall health and prevent stroke from happening to you. You can also talk to your doctor about stroke prevention and treatments for stroke, such as medications that can lower high
cholesterol and high blood pressure.
If you've experienced a stroke, it is important to start rehabilitation as soon as possible and to prevent stroke recurrence. Your team of health care professionals will be an important part of this process.