What happens when you have a stroke?

A stroke is a life-changing event. You may have a lot of questions after a stroke. You may feel scared or nervous about what is happening with your health. You may wonder what happens next. This is normal. The journey is challenging and will require hard work toward a successful recovery.

Learning as much as you can about stroke and recovery will help you:

understand what has happened (the stroke and what caused it)
know what to expect, including the tests you will need
feel confident when talking with your health care team
take your medications safely
manage changes in your life
improve your overall health and recovery
reduce your risk of having another stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke is an injury to a part of the brain. It happens when something goes wrong with the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. Blood that does not start flowing back to the brain within minutes can cause damage to the brain and the parts of the body it controls. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain was damaged and by how much. The treatment for stroke will depend on the type of stroke you had.

There are two main types of stroke:

1. Ischemic stroke

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They happen when an artery to the brain becomes blocked and stops the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. Some treatments for acute ischemic stroke can include clot-busting drugs that dissolve the clot or using a stent retriever to remove the clot from the blocked blood vessel in the brain.

_{Picture of ischemic stroke. Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health}

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke is less common. It is when an artery to the brain bursts or bleeds in or around the brain. Some treatments for this type of stroke can include surgery or taking certain medications to reduce the pressure on the brain. In both types, the part of the brain damaged by the stroke can affect how you think, see, move, feel and/or speak.

_{Picture of hemorrhagic stroke. Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health}

What happens during a stroke?

Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to the body. A burst or blocked blood vessel stops blood from reaching some parts of the brain. Blood that does not start flowing back to the brain within minutes can cause damage to the brain and the parts of the body it controls. The effects of a stroke will depend on where and how much of the brain was damaged and can affect how you think, see, move, feel and/or speak. Learn about the functions of the brain.

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA are sometimes called ‘mini-strokes.’ They are caused when there is a temporary stoppage of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. The symptoms are like a stroke but usually last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. Symptoms of a TIA may include temporary:

weakness or numbness
slurred speech, or
trouble seeing clearly

A TIA is an important warning sign of a possible stroke. It is a medical emergency that needs to be assessed by a doctor and treated right away.

Some strokes happen while people are asleep.  If you wake up with any of the following symptoms or you think you are having a stroke, get medical help right away:  

numbness or weakness on one side of the body  
drooping of the face 
slurred or jumbled speech 
changes in vision, such as blurred or double vision 
sudden severe headache, usually with some of the other signs 
problems with balance

What are the risk factors of a stroke?

A stroke often happens without warning signs.

Once you have had a stroke or TIA, you are at higher risk of having another stroke. It is important that you work with your health care team to manage any medical condition that puts you at risk for stroke. You may need to make lifestyles changes to lower your risk of stroke. Below are a list of some things that make it more likely that someone will have a stroke:

Risk factors for stroke can be divided into two categories: risk factors you can’t change (non-modifiable risk factors) and risk factors you can change (modifiable risk factors). Modifiable risk factors can be controlled by medications, medical treatment, or lifestyle changes. Non-modifiable risk factors cannot be changed.