
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, August 23, 1993                   TAG: 9308210019
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT IS A STROKE?

VA Medical Center staff neurologist Dr. Gary Harpold defined stroke this way: "Most people understand what happens in a heart attack: a blockage in an artery to the heart.

"A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to a portion of the brain, that can, depending on which portion of the brain is affected, produce a variety of symptoms or problems including weakness, paralysis, loss of vision and loss of speech.

"In the U.S., strokes are most commonly precipitated by hardening of the arteries, which is a buildup of cholesterol in artery walls which eventually blocks blood flow. Strokes are also commonly precipitated by high blood pressure and diabetes."

Stroke is the leading disabler of adult Americans with approximately one-half million strokes (1991 figures) occurring each year. This figure does not include the strokes that occur while in surgery or under anaesthesia.

Stroke is the No. 3 leading killer overall in the United States and is the No. 1 reason for discharge from a hospital to a nursing home.

Seventy-five percent of stroke victims are over 65 years old. A person's risk of stroke doubles every decade after the age of 55.

by CNB