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About Stroke
Outcomes from Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is
also a leading cause of serious long term disability. While most strokes
occur in people over the age of 65, strokes can occur at any age. Among
people who survive, strokes can affect the entire body. Stroke can leave
victims with physical, mental, and emotional deficits. The amount of
disability is related to the severity of the stroke. People who survive a
stroke are also at risk for having another stroke.
- Physical: Persons who have had a stroke can have weakness
or even complete paralysis on one side of the body. The paralysis or
weakness may affect only the face, an arm, or a leg or may affect one
entire side of the body and face. Some stroke patients may have trouble
with swallowing. Slurred speech due to weakness of the muscles used in
speaking may also occur.
- Activity and balance: A stroke victim may have problems
performing daily activities, such as walking, dressing, eating,
and using the bathroom. Balance and coordination may also be a problem.
- Cognitive deficits: Stroke may cause problems with thinking,
awareness, attention, learning, judgment, and memory.
- Language: Stroke victims may find it hard to understand or
form speech. This is called
aphasia. Aphasia usually occurs along with problems in reading or
writing.
- Emotional: Stroke patients may find it difficult to control
their emotions or may express inappropriate emotions in certain
situations. One common emotional problem with many stroke patients is
depression. Post–stroke depression may be more than a general sadness
resulting from the stroke. Medications and therapy might be
needed to treat the depression.
- Pain: Stroke patients may experience pain, uncomfortable
numbness, or strange sensations after a stroke. These sensations may be
due to many factors including damage to the sensory regions of the brain,
stiff joints, or a disabled limb.
- Recurrent Stroke: Recurrent stroke is
a major contributor to stroke disability and death, with the risk of
severe disability or death from stroke increasing with each stroke. The risk of a recurrent stroke is greatest right after a
stroke.
Page last reviewed: October 10, 2007
Page last modified: February 9, 2007
Content source: Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion
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