Strokes
Overview
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted, either by a blockage or bleeding. Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans experience a stroke—with about one happening every 40 seconds.
While age is the greatest risk factor (stroke risk doubles each decade after 55), high blood pressure is the single most important controllable risk factor, contributing to both types of stroke. About 85% of cases are events called ischemic strokes which occur when blood clots block blood vessels that supply the brain. These clots can form locally or travel from elsewhere in the body. Less commonly, when blood vessels in the brain rupture and bleed those are called hemorrhagic strokes; those comprise 15% of stroke cases.
Recovery after a stroke is highly variable and greatly depends on the stroke’s size and location. Many stroke survivors experience permanent weakness or paralysis, typically affecting one side of the body. Speech and language problems, as well as changes in memory and thinking abilities, are also common. Mobile stroke units, which are ambulances outfitted with a portable CT scanner, point-of-care laboratory testing, and emergency medications, are an increasingly important part of rapid stroke response.
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