There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is caused by blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into or around the brain. About 795,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke each year.

What causes a stroke?

Several risk factors can cause someone to be more likely to experience a stroke. Some of these risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, can be treated or changed. The below risk factors cannot be changed:

• Age: The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55.
• Sex: Each year, more women are diagnosed with stroke than men, and stroke kills more women than men. Use of birth control pills and pregnancy pose special stroke risks for women.
• Race: Compared to white Americans, African Americans are nearly twice as likely to have a first stroke. The risk for Hispanic Americans falls between the two.
• Family history: Stroke risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister, or brother has had a stroke.
• Prior stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or heart attack: The risk of stroke for someone who has already had one is many times that of a person who has not. A TIA produces stroke-like symptoms that may last from a few minutes to a few hours and resolve in less than 24 hours; it is also a predictor of stroke. And if you have had a heart attack, you are at higher risk of having a stroke.

See more information about the risk factors for stroke in Brain & Life's one-page printable "Stroke: The Basics" overview.

What treatments are available for stroke?

The best treatment for stroke is prevention. That means treating underlying risk factors such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes; following a heart-healthy diet; stopping smoking; and exercising regularly.

Once a stroke has occurred, therapy involves quickly dissolving the blood clot if it’s an ischemic stroke or stopping the bleeding if it’s hemorrhagic. For certain types of stroke, catheter- or IV-based treatments or minimally invasive surgery to remove blood clots may help improve the chances of a positive recovery, if treatment is administered in a timely fashion.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Regardless of which type of stroke someone is experiencing, it is important to act quickly when confronted with the signs of stroke.

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

To remember these warning signs, use the acronym BE-FAST (Balance off, Eyes blurred or double vision, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911).

Immediately call 911 if you or someone you are with shows signs of having a stroke. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. Be aware, a stroke can be happening even if just one of these symptoms is presenting, and the symptoms can vary from person to person. In addition, the symptoms can either start slowly or come on quickly.

Read more about the warning signs of stroke in "Get Smart About Stroke."

Articles on Stroke From Brain & Life

The Many Faces of Stroke
Anyone can experience a stroke, regardless of age, sex, or race. And, as these five survivors attest, recovery is multifaceted too.

Get Smart About Stroke
One patient describes how her experience with stroke made her take stroke preparedness seriously.

Sharon Stone is Back in the Spotlight After a Life-Threatening Stroke
The actress says a stroke upended her marriage, her career, her finances, and her psyche. After years of hard work, she's healthier—and happier—than ever.

Life-Saving Stroke Treatment Is Extended to 24 Hours
Thanks to advanced therapies and new devices, neurologists are widening the time window for stroke care.

Act FAST If You Suspect a Stroke
Learn the FAST acronym to identify strokes quickly.

Recovery from Stroke: Advice from Survivors and Experts
Fifty years ago, doctors and researchers thought recovery from stroke was limited. Today, they know that survivors have a lot more control over their own recovery. Here's how to ensure the best possible outcome.

Age Is Just a Number: The Rise of Young Adult Stroke
Young adult stroke is on the rise. Here's what you should know.

Stroke Resources From Brain & Life

Stroke disorder page
An overview of the condition.

Stroke: The Basics
A quick-hit guide to the basic facts about stroke warning signs, risk factors, and treatments.

Navigating the Complexities of Stroke
A practical guide for both patients and medical professionals about life after stroke.