What Is A Stroke?

A stroke occurs when one of your blood vessels clots or bursts, interrupting the flow of blood to your brain. Consequently, your brain cannot get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function, and brain tissue starts dying within minutes.

If caused by a blood clot, it’s called an ischemic stroke. The clot can occur in a blood vessel elsewhere in your body and then travel to your brain or it can form in an artery that supplies blood to your brain. If a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into or around your brain, it’s called a hemorrhagic stroke.

What Can I Do?

Act FAST. By knowing the symptoms of a stroke, you can identify one and get help quickly. Use this simple test to recognize the warning signs of stroke.

Face

Ask the person to smile. Does their face look uneven?

Arms

Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one weak or numb?

Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does their speech sound strange?

Time

Remember: you’ve only got a 3-hour window to get the treatment it takes to minimize long-term, debilitating effects.

Stroke Survivor Support Group

Join the Stroke Survivor Support Group. The group offers education, support and resources for individuals and families who have been affected by stroke.

Meetings are held at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital and at Baptist Medical Center.

Meet Baptiste

Watch Baptiste's story and learn how to identify the symptoms of stroke.

Learn more at the Brain & Stroke Network .