About Stroke

• Types of Stroke
• Signs and Symptoms

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die.

If you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. The chance that you will survive and recover from a stroke is higher if you get emergency treatment right away. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States.¹

For stroke survivors, recovery can take months or years. Many people who have had a stroke never fully recover.

Reference

1. Miniño AM, Murphy SL, Xu J, Kochanek KD. Deaths: Final data for 2008 [PDF-2.9M]. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 59 no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.