stroke

If you or someone near you is experiencing symptoms of a medical stroke, call your local emergency number (like 911) immediately.

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1. Medical Stroke (Brain Attack)

A medical stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.

Remember the acronym F.A.S.T. to recognize a stroke:

• F — Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
• A — Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S — Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, or are they unable to speak or understand speech? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
• T — Time to Call 911: If you see any of these signs, even if the symptoms go away, call emergency services immediately. Note the time when symptoms first appeared.

Other common symptoms: Sudden numbness on one side of the body, sudden confusion, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking/dizziness/loss of balance, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause.

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Other Meanings of "Stroke"

If you are looking for a different definition, "stroke" can refer to:

• Sports & Movement:
• Swimming: Distinct swimming styles (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly).
• Rowing: A single pull of the oar, or the rower who sets the pace.
• Golf / Racket Sports: A single swing or hit of the ball.
• Art & Design:
• A mark made by a paintbrush or pen (brushstroke).
• In digital design (e.g., Illustrator/Photoshop), the outline or border of a shape.
• Mechanics / Engines:
• The movement of an engine's piston (e.g., four-stroke or two-stroke engine).
• General Action:
• An act of moving one's hand gently over a surface, person, or animal (e.g., to stroke a dog).
• A keystroke on a keyboard.

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