Stroke 101
This medical emergency occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, causing brain cells to stop getting the oxygen they need.
What is a stroke?
Having this condition- also called high blood pressure- raises your stroke risk.
What is hypertension?
The "F" in BE FAST stands for a sudden change or drooping in the ______.
What is face
Strokes in this side of the brain often result in left-sided weakness or paralysis
What is the right hemisphere?
This colorful food group is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber- and should take up half your plate
What are fruits and vegetables?
This brief medical event causes stroke‑like symptoms but usually lasts only a few minutes, serving as an early warning that a major stroke may be on the way
What is a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or "mini stroke"?
Risk factors like diet, exercise, and smoking are considered ______ because they can be changed.
"B" in BE FAST reminds you to look for trouble with this, like dizziness or unsteadiness
What is balance?
Problems with thinking, memory, or attention are referred to as ______ changes.
What is cognition?
Too much of this white crystal can raise your blood pressure and increase stroke risk
What is salt?
This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked
What is an ischemic stroke?
If you have sleep apnea and don't use this machine while sleeping, your risk of stroke goes up
What is a CPAP machine?
"A" is for when one of these body parts feels weak or numb
What is an arm?
Some stroke survivors may ignore one side of their body or environment—this is known as ______ neglect.
What is unilateral (or hemispatial) neglect?
This eating pattern, often used in stroke recovery, includes a lot of fish, olive oil, whole grains, and vegetables
What is the Mediterranean diet?
This type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
Being overweight and having high blood sugar can lead to this condition, raising stroke risk
What is diabetes?
"S" stands for trouble with this- like slurred or hard-to-understand words.
What is speech?
Difficulty speaking or forming words is called this.
What is aphasia?
This type of fat—found in foods like fried items and processed snacks—should be limited to reduce stroke risk.
What are saturated fats (or trans fats)?
This phrase means that the longer a stroke goes untreated, the more brain damage occurs.
What is "time is brain"?
This irregular heart rhythm can lead to clots that travel to the brain.
What is atrial fibrillation (a-fib)
"T" in BE FAST stands for this. Call 911 right away if someone shows stroke signs
Time
Trouble swallowing after a stroke is known as this condition.
What is dysphagia?
These healthy fats found in foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed may help reduce stroke risk.
What is omega 3 fatty acids?