Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., and though they are more common in those over 65, strokes can happen at almost any age.

A stroke can cause many disabilities, ranging from paralysis to difficulty speaking or swallowing to loss of vision in one or both eyes. Knowing the signs of a stroke and getting medical treatment quickly can save your life or improve your chances for recovery. Even better, you can lower your risk for having a stroke by making healthy lifestyle choices.

A stroke happens when something, usually a blood clot, blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel ruptures inside the brain. Parts of the brain then become damaged or die, usually within minutes. There are three main types of strokes: ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and hemorrhagic stroke.

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot in an artery prevents blood flow to the brain. Without oxygenated blood, brain cells stop working; the longer the blockage lasts, the higher the risk of permanent damage or disabilities. There are two types of ischemic stroke. Embolic means the clot forms outside the brain and travels through an artery to become lodged in the brain. Thrombotic means a blood clot forms somewhere in the brain. Ischemic strokes account for 80% of all strokes.

A TIA or transient ischemic attack, often referred to as a mini stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked for a very short time. These are warning signs of a future stroke and require emergency medical care.

A hemorrhagic stroke results when an artery ruptures in the brain or leaks blood. The sudden accumulation of blood puts pressure on brain cells, damaging them so that they stop working. Those with high blood pressure have a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke; intracerebral, in which the hemorrhage occurs within the brain tissue, or subarachnoid, where the hemorrhage occurs between the skull and brain, a less common occurrence.

The symptoms one experiences depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected. Learn the following common signs of a stroke, especially any sudden changes:

• Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body, face, arm or leg.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

• Sudden vision problems in either one or both eyes such as blurred vision or seeing double.

• Sudden balance or coordination issues such as dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking.

• Sudden severe headache with no obvious cause.

It is critical to act quickly, as any delay in treatment increases the risk of permanent damage or death. If you see someone acting strangely, the FAST acronym can help you decide if they are having a stroke.

F - Face - ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

A - Arms - ask the person to raise both arms. Does one fall down?

S - Speech - ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?

T - Time - if you see any of these warning signs, call 911 immediately.

There are some risk factors for stroke that we can’t control: Age - those over 65 have a higher risk for stroke; gender - women are more likely to have a stroke and die from it; race - black people are more likely to have a stroke and die from it; and family history or prior stroke history, which predisposes you to having a stroke.   

There are some risk factors that we can control, and any improvements made may lessen your chances of having a stroke. Those include:

• A diet high in saturated fats and sugar may lead to obesity, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

• A lack of regular exercise and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, all conditions that damage arteries.

• Smoking damages blood vessels and raises heart rate and blood pressure.

• Excessive drinking can raise blood pressure.

• Obesity is linked to high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

• High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke.

• High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the blood vessels.

• Diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Carotid artery disease refers to a blockage or narrowing of the carotid arteries which run along either side of your neck. The carotid arteries are the major supplier of blood and oxygen to your brain. One third of strokes are the result of blocked carotid arteries.

The treatment for a stroke varies depending on the type of stroke. The main treatment for an ischemic stroke is a drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is injected into a vein in your arm. This medicine must be given within three hours after the symptoms began. Some patients may need a procedure called a thrombectomy to remove the clot from the blood vessel. If carotid artery disease was the cause of the stroke, a doctor may perform a carotid endarterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the plaque buildup blocking your carotid artery.

For a hemorrhagic stroke, patients may be given blood pressure medicine to lower the pressure in the brain’s blood vessels. A doctor may determine that you need a surgical procedure to stop the bleeding, to seal an aneurysm or to drain excess blood and fluid to relieve pressure. Additionally, you may need some type of physical therapy to regain the ability to walk, talk or swallow.