If the brain does not get blood, brain cells die.
When brain cells die, the stroke victim will have difficulty with certain brain and body functions

1.     What is a stroke?
A Stroke, some called “brain attack”, occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted.
This can happen in two ways:

1)    a clot that blocks a blood vessel (like a heart attack in the brain) - ischemic stroke

2)    a blood vessel in the brain that bursts - hemorrhagic stroke

If the brain does not get blood, brain cells die.
When brain cells die, the stroke victim will have difficulty with certain brain and body functions.

2.     How common are strokes?
Worldwide, every year 2 in every 1000 people have a stroke. Five out of six strokes happen in people over the age of 60.

Why is stroke treatment urgent?

1)    The longer blood flow is cut off, the greater the damage.

2)    Every minute counts

3)    The window opportunity is three hours

4)    Needs to be at the hospital within 60 minutes, having a stroke patient to be evaluated and receive treatment.    

3.     Stroke - Warning Signs

4.     What are the risk factors for stroke?
By reducing the risk factors, you can greatly lower your chances of getting a stroke.

Modifiable risk factors
Medical conditions

1)    high blood pressure

2)    atrial fibrillation

3)    high blood cholesterol

4)    diabetes

Lifestyle factors

1)    smoking

2)    overweight

3)    sedentary lifestyle

4)    stress

5)    alcohol

6)    diet 

Unchangeable risk factors

1)    age

2)    gender

3)    race

4)    family history

5)    genetic disease

6)    prior stroke/heart attack

5.     Will I recover?
Recovery is usually a gradual process following stroke, often take months esp. the first six months. It varies from person to person and ranges from those who are left with slight disability to those with more serious one.
There is also a functional recovery that may take time usually the functional recovery could be enhance by rehabilitation process.

6.     Will it happen again?
Recurrent stroke is frequent. About 25 percent of first stroke have another within 5 years.

1)    What can you do? and Be smart! Know your numbers!

·   Cholesterol - LDL < 100 mg/dl

·   HDL > 40 mg/dl

·   Blood Pressure <= 120/80 mmHg

·   Blood Sugar <= 100 mg/dl

2)    Eat a healthy DIET to decrease
cholesterol, maintain blood pressure, and blood sugar

3)    Take medications as prescribed

4)    Control diabetes by checking blood sugar regularly

5)&nbs