Stroke, also called CVA (cerebral vascular accident) is a type of cardiovascular disease which affects the arteries that supply the brain with nutrients and oxygen. There are two types of strokes. A stroke is usually caused by clot or block in an artery which is called an ischemic stroke. 87% of all strokes are ischemic in nature.

A ruptured blood vessel in the brain is called a hemorrhagic stroke or bleeding type. Whether it be a blocked artery or a bleed, if there is a lack of blood flow to the brain, the area which does not receive proper blood flow affects certain parts of the body. A stroke can affect speech, vision, sensation and mobility.

A TIA (transient ischemic attack), is often referred to as a “mini-stroke”. It can have the same effects as a stroke but the symptoms can go away fairly quickly (within minutes) and have no permanent affects. A TIA can be seen as a warning sign for the possibility of a stroke.

Common risk factors of stroke are high blood pressure, diabetes, carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, previous TIAs, Sickle anemia, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol abuse, illegal drug use and smoking. Unfortunately, African Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke due to some of these risk factors. Many of these risk factors can be controlled with diet, exercise, and following up with your doctor regularly and taking prescribed medications.

Some most common and most recognizable signs and symptoms of stroke are:

*Slurred speech

*Facial droop usually on one side

*Inability to move one side

* Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation to one side

* Sudden weakness

*Confusion

*Loss of balance or dizziness

A stroke is a medical emergency so you want to act FAST. F-face, A-arm, S-speech, T-TIME. Time is most important because if a stoke is diagnosed in the emergency room in time, depending on the type of stroke, medication can be given (within 3 hrs. of onset of symptoms) to help reverse some of the symptoms that could otherwise be permanent.

For more information on stroke visit www.americanheart.org, www.stroke.org, www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov, www.strokeassociation.org, or call 1-888-4-STROKE.

Take care of yourself and be Blessed!

Menneka J. Scott, RN,BSN