Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off or interrupted or a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into spaces surrounding brain cells.

Brain cells die when they cannot receive oxygen and nutrients from blood. When brain cells die, symptoms such as paralysis, language and communication problems, and behavioral changes may occur.

According to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, 700,000 Americans suffer each year from a new or recurrent stoke.

Other facts include:

• Every three minutes, someone dies from a stroke
• Out of every five deaths from stroke, three are women and two are men
• Stroke kills nearly 164,000 people a year (approximately one out of 15 deaths)
• Stoke is the number-three cause of death behind heart disease and cancer

Remember: When a stroke occurs you have very little time to get the right treatment.

Memorize the signs of a stroke and get treatment immediately if you experience any of the symptoms.

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