Overview
Strokes can happen to anyone at any time. With nearly 800,000 people experiencing a stroke each year, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.
A stroke occurs when blood can no longer reach the brain. When this blood flow is blocked, brain cells can become oxygen-deprived and die. When brain cells die, the abilities controlled by different areas of the brain can begin to weaken. For example, if brain cells die in the part of brain that controls muscle, muscle control will diminish.
Where a stroke occurs directly impacts how a person is affected and how much damage occurs in the brain. Some people may never even know they had a stroke, and some strokes could leave permanent damage. The effects of larger strokes could be as severe as paralysis or losing the ability to speak. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S., leaving nearly two-thirds of stroke survivors disabled.
With strokes, minutes matter. The quicker stroke care is delivered, the better the potential short- and long-term outcomes. If you think you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 or take that person to the emergency room immediately.
A stroke occurs when blood can no longer reach the brain. When this blood flow is blocked, brain cells can become oxygen-deprived and die. When brain cells die, the abilities controlled by different areas of the brain can begin to weaken. For example, if brain cells die in the part of brain that controls muscle, muscle control will diminish.
Where a stroke occurs directly impacts how a person is affected and how much damage occurs in the brain. Some people may never even know they had a stroke, and some strokes could leave permanent damage. The effects of larger strokes could be as severe as paralysis or losing the ability to speak. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S., leaving nearly two-thirds of stroke survivors disabled.
With strokes, minutes matter. The quicker stroke care is delivered, the better the potential short- and long-term outcomes. If you think you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 or take that person to the emergency room immediately.
Why Choose Mercy Health?
Mercy Health offers top stroke care, with many of its hospitals receiving The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. In addition, Mercy Health’s mobile stroke unit offers life-saving mobile care to our northern Ohio patients. To learn more about stroke risks and warning signs, reach out to your primary care provider today.
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