What Is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of your brain stops. This can happen in two main ways:

• Ischemic Stroke: A blood clot blocks a blood vessel. This is the most common type—about 85% of strokes are ischemic.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: A blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds into the brain.

Both types of stroke can damage the brain very quickly. Depending on what part of the brain is affected, people may have a wide range of effects, including trouble walking, talking, thinking, or using their arms or legs.

How to Spot a Stroke: Use BE FAST

If you think someone is having a stroke (signs of a stroke), remember BE FAST:

• Balance: Sudden trouble with balance or coordination
• Eyes: Blurry or double vision, or loss of vision
• Face: One side of the face droops when smiling
• Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm
• Speech: Slurred speech or trouble speaking
• Time: Call 911 immediately

Acting fast is critical. The sooner you get medical help, the better the chances of recovery.

Treatment varies depending on the type of stroke but focuses on restoring normal blood flow, treating the underlying cause of the stroke and stabilizing the person’s health. Once the patient is stable, long-term recovery begins.

Stroke Recovery Starts in the Hospital

Right after a stroke, doctors work to restore blood flow and stabilize your condition. Once you're stable, recovery begins—usually within a day or two.

A team of healthcare professionals will design a stroke recovery plan just for you. This may include:

• Physical therapy (for strength and movement)
• Occupational therapy (to help with daily tasks)
• Speech therapy (to improve talking and swallowing)

What Happens After You Leave the Hospital

Most people spend only a short time in the hospital. After that, you might go home, to a rehab center, or a skilled nursing facility.

Stroke therapy continues for weeks or months, depending on how you're doing. The goal is to help you:

• Regain lost skills
• Learn new ways to do things
• Live as independently as possible.

Types of Stroke Therapy

Here are the main kinds of therapy and how they help:

• Physical Therapy: Helps with walking, balance, and movement.
• Speech Therapy: Helps with speaking, understanding language, and swallowing.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps you get back to everyday activities like dressing, cooking, and bathing.

Don't Forget Your Mental Health

Recovery can feel long and tiring. It’s normal to feel frustrated, sad, or anxious. Talking to a counselor or joining a stroke support group can help you cope. You’re not alone—many others are walking the same path.

Preventing Another Stroke

After one stroke, you have a higher risk of another. In fact, 1 in 4 stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years.

Here’s how you can lower your risk:

Treat Health Issues

Your doctor may prescribe:

• Blood pressure medicine
• Blood thinners
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs
• Medication for heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation

Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

You can reduce your risk by:

• Eating healthy foods
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol
• Managing diabetes or high blood pressure

Your Recovery Journey

Recovery takes time — and every stroke is different. But with the right care and support, many people make great progress and get back to the things they love.

When a stroke occurs, immediate care is needed to restore blood flow and prevent further damage to the brain. People in the Mid-South can turn to Methodist Neuroscience Institute to get the lifesaving care they need following a stroke. All Methodist adult hospitals are accredited and certified as Comprehensive Stroke Centers or Primary Stroke Centers, ensuring you receive comprehensive care from stroke experts.

Strokes can happen to anyone without warning and are a leading cause of death and disability. Talk to your doctor about your risk for stroke.

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