Stroke Facts
• Every 45
seconds someone in America has a stroke.
• In one
second 32,000 brain cells die, in 59 seconds more an ischemic stroke will have
killed 1.9 million brain cells.
• About
700,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year and over
163,000 of them will die (making it the third leading cause of death in the
USA).
• There are
approximately 266,000 stroke survivors with permanent disabilities.
• There
will be approximately 30,000 new permanent admissions to nursing homes this
year.
• There are
over 4 million stroke survivors today.
• Fewer
than one in five Americans can identify even one stroke symptom.
• The
economic impact of stroke is estimated to cost $40-$70 billion per year.
• A stroke
can be devastating, that's why it's so important to minimize your risk.
What causes a stroke and what types of stroke are there?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or
gets clogged. Clots that block an
artery cause ischemic (is-KEM-ik) strokes. This is the most
common type of stroke and
accounts for 85% of all strokes. Millions of brain cells die
each minute a stroke is untreated.
Ruptured blood vessels cause hemorrhagic (hem-o-RAJ-ik) or
bleeding strokes. The affected
part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs and in
minutes begins to die. Each stroke has
different effects. If you have a stroke you could suffer
paralysis, have trouble talking
and/or understanding
speech, your vision could be affected, you could lose emotional
control, become
depressed or even die. It's important to get treatment as quickly as possible
in order to minimize long term effects of a stroke.
Remember...every second counts!
What are the effects of a stroke?
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls
various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the
region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won't
work as it should. If the stroke occurs toward the back of the brain, for
instance, it's likely that some disability involving vision will result. The
effects of a stroke depend primarily on the location of the obstruction and the
extent of brain tissue affected.
Right Brain The effects of a stroke depend on several
factors including the location of the obstruction and how much brain tissue is
affected. However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of
the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in neurological complications
on the side of the body if affects. For example, if the stroke occurs in the
brain's right side, the left side of the body (and the right side of the face)
will be affected, which could produce any or all of the following:
• Paralysis
on the left side of the body
• Vision
problems
• Quick,
inquisitive behavioral style
• Memory
loss
Left Brain If the stroke occurs in the left side of the
brain, the right side of the body (and the left side of the face) will be
affected, producing some or all of the following:
• Paralysis
on the right side of the body
• Speech/language
problems
• Slow,
cautious behavioral style
• Memory
loss
From the AMA - Brain -- Effects of a stroke
Can a stroke be stopped?
Many clinical trials have led to advances in preventing and
treating strokes. As a result, stroke no longer automatically results in
disability or death. A clot-dissolving drug commonly referred to as t-PA
(tissue plasminogen activator) can reduce long term disability if it is given
within three (3) hours after an ischemic stroke starts. However, t-PA is not
used as often as it could be because many people don't seek medical treatment
as quickly as they should. In order to receive t-PA or other stroke treatment,
you must get to a hospital fast so a physician can quickly diagnose a stroke.
Remember: Every
second counts! Time lost is brain lost. If you have any of the
warning signs of stroke call 911 - get to St. John's
Hospital Emergency Room - we're ready for the moment you need us.
