There are two types of strokes - blockage type (ischemic) or bleeding types (hemorrhagic).

Ischemic strokes are more common and occur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel of the brain.

Early treatment of stroke may completely reverse the deficits or reduce long term disability. Every minute 2 million brain cells die.

Treatment with clot busting medication within 3 hours helps breakdown the clot and restore blood flow.

In severe strokes, if large blood vessels are blocked, they can be mechanically removed by a procedure.

Pakistanis also have higher rates of hemorrhagic (bleeding type) strokes.

Treatment of stroke is time sensitive and lack of awareness of stroke symptoms increases long term disability.

Hospitals with good stroke protocols to allow for early evaluation of stroke and will reduce the important “hospital door-treatment times” (door to needle).

Time is brain. When a stroke occurs, there is limited time before the brain behind the blood clot dies and never regains function.

If there are no stroke centers near your home, you will not be able to receive treatments for stroke in time. Treatments that could reverse your symptoms.

Stroke occurs in the Pakistani populations more commonly and at younger ages (35-60yrs) in Pakistanis compared to the Western populations. This is related to higher rates of people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking in Pakistan.

Stroke is not a disease of old people. Young people can have strokes as well. The most common cause of stroke in young people is a tear in the blood vessel wall, often due to minor trauma. Young women can have strokes too, particularly the period around pregnancy and delivery. Young women who have migraine with vision changes are also at a higher risk of stroke.

Disability from a stroke may results in problems in language, memory, personality, and/or motor strength. Patients may not be able to go back to work and need help performing activities of daily living such as changing, moving, or bathing. Family members often need to provide care at home which requires increased responsibilities, decreased leisure time, exhaustion, and emotional & financial stress.

It’s vital to receive fast and appropriate stroke care wherever you are.

It’s important that you can identify a stroke. Some stroke victims may not notice their symptoms due to the stroke. Early recognition of stroke saves lives and brain.

To spot a stroke, remember to be BE FAST:

B - Balance; is the person off balance or dizzy?

E - Eyes; is there loss of vision on one side or double vision?

F - Face; is the mouth drooping to one side?

A - Arms; hold up your arms, is one side falling down?

S - Speech; is the speech slurred, can they not speak, can they not understand speech?

T - Time; time to call the ambulance

Earlier treatment means more brain saved.

The most effective way to prevent a stroke is by regular exercise, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.

Stop smoking

Monitor your blood pressure. It should be less than 130

Tightly control your glucose. It should not be above 180.

Do moderate-intensity exercise for 30 minutes five days a week. Exercise should make you short of breath where you can say a full sentence. You can do two 15 minutes sessions twice a day as well.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. A mediterranean diet helps reduce stroke risk.

Take cholesterol medicines if needed.

The most effective way to prevent a second stroke is also by regular exercise, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking. Medications help reduce risk of a second stroke, but not as much as lifestyle changes.