Hemorrhagic stroke is less common but more frequently fatal than ischemic stroke.

• Pressure sores
• Permanent loss of movement or sensation of a part of the body
• Joint contractures
• Muscle spasticity
• Permanent loss of cognitive or other brain functions (dementia)
• Disruption of communication, decreased social interaction
• Decreased ability to function or care for self
• Decreased life span
• Urinary and respiratory tract infections

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of stroke occur. A stroke is a "brain attack," and minutes can make a huge difference in disability and death rates.

Emergency symptoms include seizures or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, sudden difficulties with movement or sensation, eating or swallowing difficulties, sudden vision change or loss of vision in one or both eyes, rapid onset of speech changes, and sudden (severe) headache.

Call your health care provider if the condition of a family member with stroke deteriorates to the point that the person cannot be cared for at home.

• < Page
1 2 3 4
• >

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)