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Strokes: Just The Facts
 
    12/1/2013
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  • A hemorrhagic stroke is when a cerebral artery ruptures or leaks, most commonly because of vulnerability caused by atherosclerosis and hypertension or arterial wall weakness due to an aneurysm or vascular damage. Hemorrhagic stroke also may be caused by bleeding disorders, bleeding from a brain tumor, arteritis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, or physical trauma.
  • An ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, happens when there is an interruption in the blood flow to the brain—such as from a clot.
  • When a stroke occurs, brain cells die and the brain is damaged. The damage to the brain—depending on where it occurs—results in lost abilities, such as speech, movement, memory, and vision.
  • Risk factors for stroke include hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, cardiovascular disease, some forms of birth control pills or hormone therapies, heavy or binge drinking, and use of illicit drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines. Of course, one of the greatest risk factors is a previous stroke.
  • Signs of a stroke include trouble walking; slurred speech; sudden vision problems; sudden headache (possibly accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or fainting); and sudden paralysis of face, arm, or leg.
  • The stroke’s severity determines how impaired a person might be. For instance, a small stroke may cause minor problems such as leg or arm weakness. A more severe stroke may result in paralysis and the inability to speak or swallow.
  • Whether and how soon complications resolve or can be diminished depends on what part of the brain is affected and how severe the damage is.

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