FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES Intermountain Healthcare Stroke and TIA: What You Need to Know and Do Stroke is the leading cause of disability for adults and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. This fact sheet tells you what you need to know and do to recognize and prevent stroke. What is stroke? What is a TIA? A stroke is when blood flow to part of your brain suddenly stops. It can happen because of a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or because a blood vessel in your brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Your brain cells need oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood, so when a stroke happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes. A transient ischemic attack — TIA for short — happens when a blood clot temporarily blocks a blood vessel leading to your brain. Sometimes called a "mini-stroke," a TIA can cause some of the same symptoms as a stroke, though they're temporary and cause no permanent damage. A TIA often happens before a stroke, and should never be ignored. What are the signs and symptoms? Stroke signs and symptoms are sudden: 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 or loss of balance or coordination Sudden and severe headache, with no known cause If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, call 911 immediately. Note the exact time the symptoms started (or when the person was last seen well) and give this time to the paramedics or hospital staff. This information is important and can affect treatment decisions. During a stroke, every second counts. B.E. F.A.S.T.! Call 911 if you see any of the stroke symptoms below: B- BALANCE. Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination? (To check, ask the person to walk a straight line or touch each finger to their nose.) E-EYES. Are there sudden vision changes? (To check, ask if the person has double vision or cannot see out of one eye.) F-FACE. Does one side of the face droop? (To check, ask the person to smile.) A-ARM. Does one arm drift downward? (To check, ask the person to raise both arms.) S- SPEECH. Are the words slurred? Is speech confused? (To check, ask the person to repeat a sentence.) T-TIMETHE SYMPTOMS BEGAN. When was the person last seen looking or acting normally? Write down the exact time symptoms began. Give this information to paramedics. My blink a frown... thash not... What's happening? 35