About stroke

A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to work well. If blood supply is stopped even for a short time, this can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. 

When brain cells die, brain function is lost. You may not be able to do things that are controlled by that part of the brain. For example, a stroke may affect your ability to: 

• move, 

• speak, 

• eat, 

• think and remember, 

• control your bowel and bladder, 

• control your emotions; and/or 

• control other vital body functions. 

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. 

Anyone can have a stroke at any age but your chance of having a stroke increases if you have certain risk factors. Some risk factors for stroke can be changed or managed, while others can’t. 

Examples of risk factors are: 

• heart disease, 

• diabetes, 

• smoking, 

• history of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), 

• high blood cholesterol and lipids, 

• lack of exercise, 

• obesity, 

• excessive alcohol use, 

• use of some illegal drugs, 

• abnormal heart rhythm, and 

• cardiac structural abnormalities. 

A stroke is an emergency situation. It’s important to know the signs of a stroke and get help quickly. Call 911 right away. In remote communities of Labrador, residents can call 911 or their local community clinic directly. Treatment is most effective when it starts right away. 

Stroke symptoms may happen suddenly. Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include: 

• weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side of the body; 

• having trouble speaking or understanding; 

• problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes; 

• dizziness or problems with balance or coordination; 

• problems with movement or walking; 

• fainting (loss of consciousness) or seizure; and/or 

• severe headaches with no known cause, especially if they happen suddenly. 

Other less common symptoms of stroke may include: 

• sudden nausea or vomiting not caused by a viral illness; and 

• confusion, or coma. 

FAST stands for:  

F – Face drooping. One side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.  

A – Arm weakness. One arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time, one arm may drift downward.  

S – Speech difficulty. You may see slurred speech or difficulty speaking. The person can’t repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.  

T – Time to call 911. If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Call even if the symptoms goes away. Make note of the time the symptoms first appeared. 

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?  

A TIA can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke but TIA symptoms are passing. They can last for a few minutes or longer. Call for medical help right away if you think someone is having a TIA. It may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur.