Do you know the warning signs of a stroke? Today I'm going to discuss stroke symptoms, treatment, and types of strokes.

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He was the bad boy heartthrob of Beverley Hills 90210, the James Dean of the 1990s. He was a colon cancer awareness advocate. He was the father of two. He was Luke Perry. And on March 4th, 2019, at the age of 52, he died of a massive stroke. This news has rocked the pop culture nation, and has many people asking why did Luke Perry get a stroke at such an early age? What are the warning signs of a stroke? Can strokes be prevented, treated? Are you at risk for a stroke?

This video is intended to be informational only. It is not a medical consultation, nor is it personalized medical advice. For medical advice, please consult your physician.

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A stroke occurs when the proper blood supply to a portion of the brain is cut off. According to the American Heart Association's 2017 heart disease and stroke statistics, 795,000 strokes occur in the United States each year. And seven million people who live in the United States have had strokes. The average age when a stroke occurs is actually decreasing, it's getting younger. For women, the average age is 73, and for men, the average age is 68. Being over the age of 40 in and of itself is a risk factor for strokes.
There are two types of strokes, an ischemic stroke, and a hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood flow to an artery that supplies the brain is blocked if it's clotted off. And there are actually two types of ischemic strokes, there is a thrombotic stroke, which occurs when a plaque or fatty deposits block that brain artery and cause a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to that portion of the brain. And then the other type of ischemic stroke is an embolic stroke, which is when a plaque or a clot travels from outside of the brain into an artery that supplies a portion of the brain.
Some sources of embolic strokes include the neck arteries or the carotid arteries. If ever you have a plaque or a clot in a carotid artery, it can travel from that neck vein into a brain artery, causing an embolic stroke. Another source can be the heart, especially for patients who have diseases like atrial fibrillation, or AFIB. You can develop a clot in the heart, and that clot can actually travel from the heart and end up lodged in a brain artery, causing an embolic stroke. So, two types of ischemic strokes, thrombotic and embolic.
The other major category of a stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke or a brain bleed. This occurs when a brain artery actually ruptures and leaks out blood. In the United States, ischemic strokes are more common than hemorrhagic strokes. In fact, 87% of strokes are ischemic, while only 13% are hemorrhagic.
What are the symptoms of a stroke? Symptoms can include facial weakness, of face drooping. When a person who's had a stroke tries to smile, and only half of their face will smile. You can get arm weakness, leg weakness. You can have a problem with your balance, have confusion, memory loss, dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, numbness. Remember to think FAST, F-A-S-T.

Remember there are two types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. And you must think FAST. If you see facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, it's time to call 911.

I hope this video helps you or a loved one identify the warning signs of a stroke.

As always, I want you to make sure you remember to take care of you, prioritize yourself. No matter what you're running around doing, if you don't take time to prioritize your health, you may not be around to enjoy the fruits of your labor. So, take care of you, and do your best to live your healthiest, happiest life.