MAY 25

Stroke Awareness:
Understanding the Essentials

Written by:

Lindy Fields, PhD, ABPP-CN

Clinical Neuropsychologist at Minder Memory Center

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Each second truly counts when it comes to stroke. So, we at Minder Memory Center are here to equip you with what everyone should know!

Here we will cover the basics: what a stroke is, signs and symptoms, what you can do if you suspect you or someone else may be having a stroke, and how stroke is diagnosed and treated.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a sudden neurological event. It happens when part of the brain does not get enough blood flow, so the brain cells don’t get the oxygen or nutrients they need. This causes those brain cells to not function correctly, resulting in signs and symptoms of stroke. Stroke signs and symptoms can include changes in thinking, speech, vision, movement, body sensations, and even personality and behavior.

There are two types of stroke:

Ischemic stroke

Most strokes (over 85%) are ischemic. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that reduces or stops blood from flowing to brain cells. Blockages can be due to blood clots or narrowed blood vessels.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common than ischemic. They occur when there is bleeding in the brain — such as due to a ruptured aneurysm or a burst blood vessel. The bleeding damages nearby brain cells and prevents blood flow from getting where it needs to go.

When brain cells do not get the oxygen and nutrients they need, they quickly begin to die. Immediate treatment is extremely important to address the stroke, prevent additional damage, and help restore blood flow (and, hopefully, function) to the brain cells.

Sometimes someone has stroke-like symptoms that come and go quickly — within minutes to hours. These are called transient ischemic attacks (also known as TIAs or “mini-strokes”), which are temporary blockages of blood flow in the brain with symptoms that last fewer than 24 hours. Importantly, TIA is a significant risk factor for a stroke in the near future, so medical evaluation is very important to identify and address the cause immediately in order to reduce the risk of having a stroke.

How Common is Stroke?

According to a 2023 report from the American Heart Association, each year in the United States, nearly 800,000 people have a stroke — this equates to 1 stroke occurring every 40 seconds.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a primary cause of long-term disability and is currently the 5th leading cause of death in the United States.

What are Common Signs & Symptoms of Stroke?

A stroke can cause changes in thinking, movement, physical sensations (such as numbness), balance, vision, speech, personality, and behavior. Any sudden change in these areas or sudden onset of such symptoms should be evaluated by a medical provider immediately.

A commonly used acronym to remember stroke symptoms is FAST:

F - Face drooping or numbness (look for uneven smile, changes in sensation or movement of the face)

A - Arm weakness or numbness (look for changes in movement, feeling, or use of an arm)

S - Speech changes (listen for slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding language)

T - Time to call 911 immediately and take note of the time symptoms started

Of course there are also other signs and symptoms that can happen in stroke. If any of these suddenly occur, seek immediate medical help:

Sudden changes in balance, dizziness, vision, coordination, confusion, walking, movement, sensation (e.g., numbness)

Severe headache

When in doubt, get checked out

Why Early Diagnosis & Treatment Matter

In stroke, every second counts when it comes to keeping brain cells alive and working. Brain cells rely on constant blood flow and oxygen to function, and they quickly begin to die without them. Some treatments for ischemic stroke can only be given within a few hours of symptoms starting — such treatments focus on breaking down the blood clot in the brain. For strokes that are characterized by bleeding (e.g., hemorrhages), immediate treatment is also critical.

How is Stroke Treated?

Given that stroke is a medical emergency, immediate treatment occurs in the hospital and is focused on medical treatment and stabilization, potentially including medications and/or procedures to address the cause of the stroke. Treatment also focuses on reducing the risk of complications, treating risk factors, and developing a plan for discharge and rehabilitation.

Treatments and supports for individuals with stroke depend on the individual’s cognitive, communication, emotional, behavioral, and daily functioning.

Rehabilitation programs to address physical, cognitive, and daily functioning difficulties can occur in inpatient hospital rehabilitation settings, post-acute or skilled nursing settings, and in outpatient or home health settings, depending on the situation and individual.

Often there are many different types of healthcare providers and specialties involved at least temporarily in a patient’s care after stroke. Not all of these providers may be part of each individual’s treatment team, though often multiple medical specialists, rehabilitation therapists, and/or mental health providers may be involved in coordinating care.

The Role of Neuropsychology in Stroke Treatment

A neuropsychological evaluation is often completed following a stroke. Sometimes brief screening evaluations are completed relatively early on in recovery to provide a baseline after stroke and provide recommendations for rehabilitation. More comprehensive neuropsychological testing is often completed later on in recovery, several months after the stroke, in order to assess for improvement, as well as assist with diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Neuropsychological evaluation after stroke can help with:

Identifying extent of potential remaining symptoms or difficulties

Educating an individual and their caregivers about how the stroke may be impacting thinking, emotions, movement, communication, and/or behavior

Developing strategies to compensate for cognitive difficulties

Developing recommendations for emotional, psychological, or behavioral symptoms

Making a plan for school, work, home, and daily life

When someone has a stroke, there is often an overwhelming amount of information for the individual and their loved ones to absorb. If you or your loved one are navigating care after a stroke, know that you don’t have to figure it out alone — there are professionals who can help guide the way.

What You Can Do

If you or someone you know is showing signs or symptoms of a stroke, seek immediate medical help — call 911, go to the nearest hospital or emergency room, and do not delay!

When it comes to stroke prevention, there are many things we can do to help reduce the risk of stroke.

Lifestyle factors can impact not only health overall, but also heart health — which impacts brain health and the risk of stroke. Managing health conditions, engaging in healthy habits, and taking a proactive role in one’s health can all help to reduce the risk of stroke.

How Can Minder Memory Center Help?

At Minder Memory Center we specialize in quick access to virtual visits with neuropsychology experts — helping you get the answers you need when you need them, all in the comfort and convenience of your own home!

We do not provide emergency medical care — so if you think someone may be having a stroke, seek immediate care at a local healthcare facility and/or call 911.

When it comes time for neuropsychological evaluation as part of rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke, Minder Memory Center is here to equip you with the information you need to continue on your brain care journey!

Stroke Awareness:Understanding the Essentials