Apoplexy is an older word for a type of stroke or brain attack. Apoplexy means a sudden loss of consciousness followed by paralysis. A stroke or apoplexy is caused by a blockage or breaking of one of the arteries in the brain. Strokes can affect people in different ways, depending on the kind of stroke and the part of the brain involved. Weakness on one side of the face or body is common. This is seen in apoplexy. A stroke can also damage the senses. It can alter the ability to speak and understand speech, behavior, thoughts and memory.

Many of the effects of strokes may be permanent because dead brain cells are not replaced. Cells that are swollen because they were near the cells injured by the stroke can return to normal. Treatment for a stroke often involves reducing brain cell swelling so that cells that are still alive can function. Too much swelling inside the head can also damage or kill brain cells.

A stroke usually happens very rapidly. It is important to get medical care quickly so that further swelling of brain cells can be slowed. Sometimes it is also possible to treat patients who are having a stroke to lower the chances of having another stroke right away. Occasionally persons will have temporary strokes. These are caused by little pieces of blood clot or cholesterol temporarily blocking arteries in the brain. Patients may notice numbness or weakness that improves after a few minutes or hours. These problems often mean that bigger clots in the blood supply to the brain are forming which can cause a permanent stroke. Persons with these temporary strokes have a very high chance of developing a permanent stroke and should be treated.

After a stroke has occurred, it is important to begin to work with the part of the brain that has not been injured. This is called rehabilitation therapy. During rehabilitation, patients learn how to use other muscles or other parts of their brain to help make up for the injury caused by the stroke. Although a stroke can be a frightening experience, many people are surprised with the amount of improvement that happens during a rehabilitation program.

If you have high blood pressure, smoke, have high blood cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease, you have a higher than average chance of having a stroke. You should treat any diseases that may raise your chances of a stroke. For more information, contact your American Heart Association office or call (800) 242-8721.

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