A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to any part of your brain, causing damage to your brain cells. The effect of a stoke varies, often depending on the part of the brain that was damaged and the amount of damage done.
There are three kinds of strokes:
- Ischemic Stroke: caused by a blockage or clot in a blood vessel in your brain
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: caused when an artery in the brain breaks open
- Transient Ischemic Attach (TIA) or “Mini Stroke”: caused by a small clot that briefly blocks an artery
There are multiple signs of a stroke, but they are the same for men and women. Signs of a stroke include:
- Drooping facial; features- like an uneven smile
- Inability to move both arms
- Slurred or jumbled speech, inability to find words
- Vision changes- usually blurred or double vision
- Sudden and severe headache- accompanied by other stroke signs
- Numbness- usually on one side of the body
- Problems with balance
These are not all of the symptoms. It is important to call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you know may be experiencing a stroke.
To learn more about strokes, evaluate your risk, or learn about what happens after a stroke, please visit:www.heartandstroke.ca, Brain Injury Canada, or After Stroke BC.