National Stroke Council

The National Stroke Council focuses on research and public education around stroke — sometimes called a “brain attack” — one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability nationwide.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a ruptured blood vessel, cutting off the oxygen brain cells need to survive. Because brain cells begin dying within minutes of losing blood flow, recognizing the warning signs and getting emergency treatment quickly is one of the most important factors in limiting long-term damage.

Common warning signs include sudden blurred or dimmed vision, difficulty understanding or producing speech, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, and sudden severe dizziness, particularly in combination with any of the other symptoms. Any of these warrant an immediate call to emergency services rather than a wait-and-see approach, since treatments that can limit stroke damage are only effective within a narrow window after symptoms begin.

Public education remains a central focus of stroke-prevention efforts, both to help people recognize the signs in themselves or others and to raise awareness of controllable risk factors like blood pressure, smoking, and cardiovascular health generally.

NEMA, through the National Stroke Council, continues to support research, education, and public awareness aimed at reducing the toll of stroke nationwide.