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When something cuts off the blood flow and oxygen to
the brain, a person experiences a stroke.
There are two kinds of stroke. The most common –
ischemic
stroke – occurs in about 85 percent of people. With ischemic
stroke, a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. It is often
called the silent stroke because most people experience loss of speech,
numbness, vision problems and difficulty walking.
For hemorrhagic stroke
– about 15 percent of people – a blood vessel bursts, leading
blood into the brain. People often experience what they describe as the
worst headache they've ever had.
For every minute during a stroke, two million brain
cells die. And the longer someone waits to get to the hospital, the
greater the chance they will live with long-term disabilities or die.
Whether it's a major stoke or a mini-stroke, it's
critical that someone seek immediate emergency attention. Timing is
critical. The clock starts ticking the moment a patient feels the first
symptom. People must know the
signs of a stroke
and get immediate care.
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