A stroke-also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)- occurs when part of the brain loses its blood or oxygen supply and causes permanent damage. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, it can cause any number symptoms, including: facial droop, one sided arm or leg weakness, speech difficulty, balance problems or vision loss.

Remember the acronym F.A.S.T. if you think someone might be having a stroke: Face drooping; Arm weakness; Speech difficulty; and Time to call 9-1-1.

The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to have a stroke. The major risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking and family history. Age, gender and race can also be risk factors – your risk of stroke increases as you get older, and African Americans and American Indians are more likely to have a stroke. While not as common, young adults can have strokes. In addition to those risk factors, there are certain medical conditions such as sickle cell disease, bleeding or clotting disorders, or cancers that can put young person more at risk.

While some stroke risk factors can’t be controlled – like age and gender – some certainly can. You can lower your risk of stroke by not smoking, controlling your blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis. For those who have several risk factors for stroke, particularly those over 50, a baby aspirin a day can help reduce your risk. Always talk to your doctor before starting any medications.

No two strokes look exactly alike. If you see or experience any symptoms and think someone may be experiencing a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Probably the most important idea reinforced by the latest research is how critical it is to administer stroke treatments quickly. For clot busting medications, a stroke patient must receive it within 4.5 hours of symptoms for it to effective. While today, there are even surgical interventions to remove clots from a vessel, they too require a stroke patient to have the procedure within 7 hours. Taking quick action can save lives and reduce long-term effects of stroke. Always err on the side of caution and call 9-1-1 if you suspect someone is having a stroke.

Most people who have had a first stroke also had high blood pressure, or hypertension. High blood pressure damages arteries throughout the body, creating conditions where they can burst or clog more easily. Weakened arteries in the brain, resulting from high blood pressure, put you at a much higher risk for stroke.

It’s never too early to begin taking steps to control your blood pressure. Some of the best things you can do are lose excess weight, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and reduce your intake of sodium and alcohol.

Currently, about 10 percent of stroke victims recover almost completely, 25 percent recover with minor impairments, 40 percent have moderate to severe impairments requiring special care, and 10 percent require care in a nursing home or other long-term care facility. About 15 percent die shortly after stroke.

Mild Stroke Recovery. Overall, mild stroke recovery usually takes about 3-6 months. Because impairments are smaller than massive stroke, mild stroke survivors have a higher chance of a full recovery. As long as you keep pushing and put in the hard work, you will achieve a healthy recovery.

After a stroke, people often experience emotional and behavioral changes. This is because stroke affects the brain, and our brain controls our behavior and emotions. Injury from a stroke may make a person forgetful, careless, irritable or confused. Stroke survivors may also feel anxiety, anger or depression.

How long you stay in the hospital depends on how severely your brain is injured. Some improvement may occur rapidly within the first few days and weeks after the stroke. Other improvement may occur more gradually. The average amount of time to stay in the hospital to treat a stroke is 5 to 7 days.

If you have a license to drive a car or motorcycle you are not allowed to drive for at least one month after a stroke or a single TIA. After a month you may start driving again if your doctor is happy with your recovery.

Tulane is one of only two Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the state, and the only one in Orleans Parish. This highly regarded designation recognizes hospitals with the ultimate infrastructure, multidisciplinary staff and training standards to manage the most complex neuro-vascular cases. Tulane Neurosurgeons are dual-trained in both open microsurgery and minimally invasive endovascular neurosurgery for treatment of vascular disorders of the brain and spine. The Tulane Stroke Program has been recognized by the American Heart Association as being on the Gold Plus Elite Honor Roll, which is its highest designation for excellence in stroke care. Only a comprehensive stroke center is certified to have the highest levels of infrastructure, staff and training standards to support state of the art care for the most complex cases and all kinds of strokes aneurysms and hemorrhages. Importantly, Tulane provides this care 24/7 because we know that a stroke, aneurysm or hemorrhage doesn’t care what time it is. If you or a loved one are having a stroke, the best chance for survival and recovery is with a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) • National Institute of Health (NIH)

If you or a loved one need more information about tremors, a Tulane Doctors Neurologist or Neurosurgeon can be available to guide you on our pioneering, effective solutions to get you back to you.

• New Orleans: 504.988.5561
• Covington: 985.951.3222
• Metairie: 504.503.7001