What is a Stroke?
A stroke is the result of sudden loss of blood flow to the brain due to blood vessel blockage or rupture. Loss of blood flow deprives the brain of oxygen and glucose (sugar), and causes the rapid buildup of waste products that injure or kill brain cells. When brain cells are injured or die, the bodily functions that they control are impaired or lost.
If one or more stroke symptoms last from a few minutes to several hours and then disappear completely, the episode is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini-stroke." TIA is the single most important warning that a major stroke may occur.
About five percent of patients who experience a TIA and receive no treatment have a major stroke within two days, and 10 percent will have a major stroke within one month. TIA is the most serious warning of a stroke and should be evaluated immediately in an emergency department. If you suspect that you or somoene you know is having a stroke, immediately dial 9-1-1.
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