Every minute counts when it comes to stroke.
The impact of a stroke can vary widely, affecting everything from movement and speech to memory loss. That's why it's important to act fast during a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting immediately might mean the difference between a full recovery, long-term disability or even life and death.
Learn stroke warning signs and how to recognize stroke so you're ready to jump into life-saving action.
Register to receive our newsletter, Emory Health Source, and stay up-to-date on the latest news, events, information and more from Emory Healthcare. Subscribe Now
A stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. But it’s important to note that smoking and high blood pressure cause half of all strokes. Things that increase your risk of stroke include:
The majority of stroke signs appear suddenly. Experts have come up with the "BE FAST" stroke acronym to help you spot symptoms of a stroke.
Here’s what to look for:
Balance. Assess if the person is dizzy, having trouble walking or standing.
Eyes. Ask the person if they can see clearly, or if they're experiencing blurred vision, seeing double or vision loss.
Face. Ask the person to smile. They may experience weakness or numbness on one side of the face, causing their face to droop.
Arm. Ask the person to raise both arms. They may not be able to or one arm may drift down.
Speech. Ask them to repeat a sentence. Their speech may be slurred or they may have difficulty speaking.
Time. If you see any of these signs, it's time to call 911 or seek emergency help.
Some individuals may experience early signs of stroke, such as headaches or even mini-strokes—which mimic sudden stroke symptoms but may only last a few minutes or hours.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America. It can occur at any age, but people over the age of 65 are at the highest risk.
The Stroke Belt is a nine-state region recognized by public health officials for having a higher rate of stroke. It includes Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Stroke care at Emory Healthcare Stroke Center includes rapid diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for stroke can look different depending on the type of stroke and how much damage has occurred.
There are three main types of stroke:
After an ischemic stroke, patients may be given medicine to break up blood clots. Sometimes surgery to remove the blood clot, known as a thrombectomy, may be needed.
Emergency physicians will evaluate what caused the TIA and may prescribe medication to prevent future blood clots and/or perform a medical intervention to clear affected arteries.
Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke focuses on stopping the bleeding and saving brain tissue. This might be achieved using medicine, surgery or a combination of medical procedures.
Rehabilitation is often needed as part of stroke recovery.
Even people with multiple risk factors can work proactively to prevent stroke. The following healthy habits can help reduce risk:
Once someone has had a stroke, however, their chances of experiencing another are significantly higher. Treating the underlying causes of stroke, including heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol and diabetes, is imperative.
Emory Healthcare's Stroke Care team makes sure you get the right care at every stage of treatment — from the first stroke symptom through recovery. Each emergency department has 24/7 neurology coverage and access to a multidisciplinary medical team to provide quality stroke care.
The brain is the center of all your thoughts, behavior and movement. That’s why brain health care at Emory Healthcare is transforming patient-centered care by bringing more than 400 experts subspecialized in every type of brain condition together. From stroke to brain tumors to epilepsy and psychiatric conditions—we can treat all diseases and conditions of the brain.
Our world-renowned center offers patients accurate diagnosis and custom treatment options to deliver lifesaving care. Unlike any other health care system in the country, we combine five brain health specialties: neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry & behavioral sciences, rehabilitation medicine, and sleep medicine under one roof.
With our creative partnerships between specialties, we're able to quickly diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans that change patients' lives. You can learn more about some of our team’s remarkable work in "Your Fantastic Mind," a PBS television series syndicated throughout the United States.
