The recent passing of two well-known celebrities in their early 50s has drawn attention to strokes. While many people believe that strokes exclusively affect older people, facts show that this is untrue. People 45 years of age and younger account for up to 10% of stroke cases in the US.

Number of Strokes

Stroke is the sixth most common cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In actuality, 795,000 individuals have a stroke annually. This translates to one stroke occurring in this nation every 45 seconds.

• Of these strokes, 600,000 are new cases.
• 185,000 strokes occur each year.
• 75 percent of stroke victims are over 65 years old.

These figures demonstrate the significance of knowing the facts about stroke and being alert to the warning indications when someone is experiencing them for adult children and family caregivers.

Strokes: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly is a stroke?

A blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain causes a stroke. When the brain can't obtain enough oxygen, some of it starts to die. A stroke can swiftly render a person disabled.

Q: What are the causes of stroke risk?

The most prevalent risk factors include diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and being overweight. You may also be at increased risk if strokes run in your family.

Q: Do strokes come in different varieties?

According to the American Heart Association, there are three main kinds of strokes:

• When the arteries leading to your brain constrict or are clogged, an ischemic stroke happens.
• A blood vessel rupture that results in bleeding into the brain causes a hemorrhagic stroke.
• A transient blood clot is what causes a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often known as a mini-stroke. A TIA is the most frequent form of stroke out of the three.

Q: What are the long-term effects of a stroke?

Although every stroke is different, paralysis, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body are the most typical long-term effects. Strokes can also result in visual loss, incontinence, difficulty eating, and speech impairments.

Stroke sufferers frequently experience depression as well.

Q: What warning indicators may indicate someone has had a stroke?

The following are the most typical warning signs and symptoms of a stroke:

• One side of the face is sagging.
• Facial numbness and/or limb numbness.
• Confusion or fuzziness.
• Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech.
• Vision loss in either one or both eyes.
• Having trouble walking or losing your balance.
• Abruptly severe headache.

Call 9-1-1 right away if you or a senior family member is suffering any of the symptoms listed above. When someone is experiencing a stroke, every second matters.

Q: A stroke may be treated.

The quicker someone suffering from a stroke seeks medical attention, the greater their chances of making a full recovery. Note the timing of the first symptom if you believe someone nearby is having a stroke, and then dial 9-1-1 immediately.

The key is early intervention, although medication and surgery are two popular emergency therapies that reduce brain damage. The goal of long-term stroke rehabilitation is to maximize function and strength recovery through therapy.

Q: Heritage Care Home Senior Living's Rehab to Home

Our Rehab to the Home program may be the answer if an elderly person in your life needs the assistance of a rehabilitation facility to recuperate from a stroke.

Q: A stroke may be treated.

The quicker someone suffering from a stroke seeks medical attention, the greater their chances of making a full recovery. Note the timing of the first symptom if you believe someone nearby is having a stroke, and then dial 9-1-1 immediately.

The key is early intervention, although medication and surgery are two popular emergency therapies that reduce brain damage. The goal of long-term stroke rehabilitation is to maximize function and strength recovery through therapy.

Heritage Care Home Senior Living's Rehab to Home

Our Rehab to the Home program may be the answer if an elderly person in your life needs the assistance of a rehabilitation facility to recuperate from a stroke. Contact Heritage Care Home Senior Living at 855-593-8766 to find out more about our patient-centered care.