What is a stroke? What is a heart attack?

Posted: Oct. 1, 2005

A stroke is serious, just like a heart attack. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Most often, stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops because it is blocked by a clot. When this happens, the brain cells in the immediate area begin to die.

Some brain cells die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Other brain cells die because they are damaged by sudden bleeding into or around the brain.

The brain cells that don't die immediately remain at risk for death. These cells can linger in a compromised or weakened state for several hours. With timely treatment these cells can be saved. Knowing stroke symptoms, calling 911 immediately, and getting to a hospital as quickly as possible are critical.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is by far the most potent risk factor for stroke. If your blood pressure is high, you and your doctor need to work out an individual strategy to bring it down to the normal range.

Smoking and having had a previous stroke or heart attack also increase a person’s chances of having a stroke.

What is a heart attack?
If the blood supply to the heart is cut off, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die.

The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Almost half of people who have a heart attack will die from it.

Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke or diabetes can increase a person’s chances of developing heart disease and having a heart attack.

Source: National Institutes of Health

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