Symptoms / Prevention

A stroke or brain attack occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain. When this happens, the part of the brain that does not receive the flow of blood with the oxygen and nutrients it needs starts to die. Stroke is also called a brain attack because of its sudden onset. Like a heart attack, brain attack requires emergency response and treatment.

Prevention

Brain attack is the most preventable medical catastrophe. The best way to prevent a brain attack is to reduce the risk factors that could cause it. Medical care and lifestyle changes can mitigate the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease (particularly irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation)
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Smoking
• Hypercholesterolemia (blood cholesterol level greater than 200 mg)
• Alcohol use (more than 2 drinks per day raises blood pressure)
• Being overweight

Know the Warning Signs

• Sudden onset of one-sided weakness
• One-sided numbness or paralysis
• Blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Sudden severe or unexplained headache.

If you experience one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately. The faster you get treatment, the greater your chance for a full recovery.

Give Me 5 - Tool for Recognizing a Stroke

• WALK - Is their balance off?
• TALK - Is their speech or face droopy?
• REACH - Is one side weak or numb?
• SEE - Is their vision all or partly affected?
• FEEL - Is their headache severe?

Visit the Give Me 5 Website for survivor stories and educational materials.
Give Me 5 Website

If any of these symptoms occur suddenly, call 911 immediately!

Fighting Brain Attacks Together