Code: Stroke

Code: Stroke is Grays Harbor Community Hospital's Program for Stroke awareness.

What is Stroke?
  Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States, behind diseases of the heart and cancer.

  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.

Stroke Warning Signs

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

What are the types of stroke?
  Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke)


What are the effects of stroke?
   The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions.  If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won't work as it should.

What Can I Do If Someone Is Having A Stroke?

When you think someone may be having a Stroke, you need to act: F.A.S.T.

FACE:
Ask the person to smile.
Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS:
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH:
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

TIME:
If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.