Stroke: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a stroke?

A: A stroke is a cut-off of the body’s blood supply to the brain. Stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. and a major cause of serious disability. The effects of stroke vary, depending on which area of the brain loses its supply of oxygen-rich blood. Some common effects of stroke may include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty with speech, trouble swallowing, vision problems, and memory loss.

Q. What are the WARNING SIGNS of stroke?

A: The warning signs of stroke include:

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

Q. What should I do if I think I may be having a stroke?

A: CALL 911 if you experience any of the symptoms of stroke listed above, even if warning signs pass quickly. New medicines are available in the Methodist Medical Center emergency department to treat stroke, but they are effective only if you seek care immediately. Methodist is a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center.

Q. How much improvement is someone likely to have after suffering a stroke?

A: Each individual is affected by stroke differently. A stroke’s effects may be barely noticeable, or they may be severe. In most cases, people do get better. How fast and how much you improve depends on the extent of the brain injury and the success of rehabilitation. If you experience mild to moderate effects of stroke, you may recover with the help of outpatient stroke rehabilitation at the Methodist Atrium. If you sustain severe effects of stroke, the Methodist Medical Center's Acute Rehabilitation Center can help you regain independence and adapt to limitations. Both outpatient and inpatient stroke rehab programs provide treatment that includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Q. What can I do to prevent a stroke?

A: High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so make sure you have your blood pressure checked regularly. Controlling diabetes, blood cholesterol, and your weight can also reduce your risk of stroke. Don't smoke, limit alcohol use, reduce fat in your diet, and get checked for coronary artery disease and heart disease, especially atrial fibrillation (a quivering of the heart's upper chambers that can lead to blood clots). And if you’ve had a TIA (transient ischemic attack), or "mini-stroke," follow your physician's advice.

Dr. Liu is board-certified in Neurology. He specializes in stroke, carotid disease, and general neurology.