First aid - Stroke

A stroke occurs when there's bleeding into your brain, or normal blood flow to your brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying — a process that may continue over the next several hours.

A stroke is a true emergency. Seek immediate medical assistance. The sooner treatment is given, the more likely it is that damage can be minimized. Every moment counts.

If you notice a sudden onset of one or more of the following signs or symptoms, call your local emergency number immediately:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg on one side of your body
• Sudden dimness, blurring or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
• Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech
• Sudden, severe headache — a bolt out of the blue — with no apparent cause
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially if accompanied by any of the other symptoms

Risk factors for stroke include having high blood pressure, having had a previous stroke, smoking, having diabetes and having heart disease. Your risk of stroke increases as you age.