In a matter of moments, a stroke can turn a healthy person into a disabled, helpless patient. Unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon condition. There is an 80 percent chance that someone in your family will have a stroke. What you need to know to prevent one from occurring.
Stroke is the number one combined disabler and killer in the world the number three leading cause of death in America and the number one cause of adult disability. And the patients aren’t just elderly people as many people assume. The average age of stroke is 65.
Strokes are serious; that much most people know. But what exactly happens when you get one? A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack” because that’s where the action takes place: When there’s a blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain it results in a lack of blood flow and oxygen — which can lead to the death of brain cells causing permanent damage. You can also think of it in terms of plumbing.
“A stroke is an interruption to the blood flow” explains Dr. Steven R. Levine who is a professor of neurology and emergency medicine as well as vice chair of neurology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. “Imagine kitchen pipes that are blocked so the water can’t flow through the pipe. A blood clot can block blood flow and cause a stroke. Or you know how water can leak out of a pipe and flood under the sink? That’s hemorrhagic stroke when blood oozes into the lining of the brain.”
When someone suffers a stroke their symptoms — such as difficulties with speech or movement — are often connected to the part of the brain that was “attacked” and how much damage occurred there.
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