What is stroke?

 Answer the following questions 

- Can you smile normally?

- Can you move your arms, hands and legs?

- Can you speak clearly and understand others?

If so, congratulations, you are a healthy person.

If not, then, you have to visit your doctor because you may have a stroke.

• What is stroke?

A stroke ( sometimes called brain attack ) is a sudden disability or loss of consciousness in the brain. It is a form of cardiovascular diseases that affects the blood flow to the brain. According to American Heart Association(2011), stroke is the third largest killer in the United States.

In fact, stroke is not a simple disease as you may think. This attack can kill suddenly kill you without suffering from any previous pain as it really did with my sister three years ago.

• Types of stroke 

There are two main types of stroke :

1- An ischemic stroke : it happens when the arteries that provide the brain with oxygen and nutrients get blocked as a result of a build up of fatty materials.

2- A hemispheric stroke: this type of stroke  is less common and it happens when the brain arteries break and bleed into the brain.

• Symptoms of stroke 

- Weakness in the arms, face and/or legs on one side or both.

- vision disabilities. 

- Difficulties speaking and understanding spoken speech.

- Sudden headache and/or confusion without known cause.

• Stroke risk factors 

Stroke risk factors are the same for all cardiovascular diseases. You can read the previous lesson " cardiovascular disease"

Reference 

American Heart Association. heart disease and stroke statistics—2011 update. Dallas, Texas