What is a stroke?

A stroke is an injury to the brain caused by a lack of blood flow to an area of the brain. With lack of blood flow for a prolonged period, oxygen and nutrients cannot get to the brain cells causing them to die. If those cells die, it is said that a stroke has occurred. Symptoms of a stroke vary but can cause weakness or loss of sensation. It can affect your ability to walk, talk, see, feel and understand.

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What is a TIA?

A transient ischemic attack, or TIA (sometimes called “mini-stroke”), is like a stroke in that symptoms occur because of lack of blood flow to an area of the brain. The difference is that this area in the brain gets blood flow back before permanent damage/injury can occur. You may have the same symptoms as a stroke but after a TIA, symptoms should resolve within 24 hours.

Types of Stroke

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Ischemic : Lack of blood flow occurs because of a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. This blockage can be from cholesterol deposits, blood clots or both. Blockage of the carotid arteries in the neck are often involved, these arteries are often first blocked gradually with cholesterol plaques but then become suddenly narrowed or clot off leading to blocking blood flow from the heart to the brain.

Hemorrhagic : Lack of blood flow occurs because a vessel in the brain ruptures. This may be due to a weakening in the wall of the vessel, called an aneurysm, or due to a vessel that has been damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes. Connections that are not normal in a vessel may also cause a vessel to break.

How do you tell the difference between a Stroke and a TIA?

...YOU CAN'T ! Never ignore the signs or symptoms of a stroke.

Click to see a video about what to do if you experience any of these symptoms

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke

Learn about Stroke Statistics

Learn what may happen to you after a stroke

Who is at risk for stroke?

What happens after you call 911?

Stroke Resources

Citations