A strokea decrease in blood flow to the brain due to a clot or bleedingis a medical emergency. And doctors often say "time is brain," meaning the quicker you get treatment, the less likely it is that your brain tissue will be permanently damaged. About 80 percent of strokes are due to a clot (ischemic strokes) and the rest are due to bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
"There are treatments available for stroke that need to be provided within the first 3-4 hours, such as clot-busting medications. That is why urgent attention is critical," says Seemant Chaturvedi MD, professor of neurology at Wayne State University School of Medicine. So don't waste time wondering if you should go to the hospital. If you or someone you know has the following symptoms, call 911.
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Stroke can cause double vision, blurred vision or loss of vision in one eye.
But it may not be as well recognized as facial weakness, arm weakness, and speech problems.
When 1,300 people in the U.K. were asked what symptoms occur in stroke, only 44 percent knew vision loss is a strong indicator.
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When former Chicago Bears coach and Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka suffered what doctors told him was a "very minor stroke," one of the symptoms he experienced was difficulty speaking.
Stroke can impair the ability to express yourself or understand speech. One test: Repeat the phrase "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Are you slurring words, using the wrong words, or are unable to speak? If any one of these occurs, there's a 72 percent chance you have had a stroke.
When you're having a stroke, it's common for an arm or leg (or both) to suddenly go weak, numb, or to become paralyzed. Often the affected limb is on the side of the body opposite from where the stroke occurred in the brain.
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10 Stroke Symptoms Everyone Should Know