Stroke | Baylor Scott & White Health

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when an area of the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood to function properly. As a result, cells in the affected part of the brain no longer work. The loss of too many brain cells can cause permanent damage to your physical, cognitive and emotional health, including paralysis and memory loss. Strokes can also be fatal. If you or someone around you may be having a stroke, call 911 right away. A stroke needs immediate attention. Quick treatment can save a life and reduce the risk of serious complications. Don’t wait—every second matters.

Take our quiz to learn about your stroke risk and how to reduce it

Ask the Expert: Stroke vs heart attack video

Types of strokes

All strokes interrupt blood flow to part of the brain. However, why they occur varies, and the cause of a stroke plays a key role in how physicians treat this condition.

Most strokes occur because a blood clot or a deposit of a fatty substance called plaque prevents blood from reaching an area of the brain. In some cases, these blockages are temporary and clear up on their own.

Less commonly, an artery in the brain may leak or break, flooding part of the tissue with blood and causing cells to die under the pressure.

Types of stroke include:

Stroke symptoms

Stroke symptoms can affect your whole body, and they often occur without warning. The symptoms you experience depend on the area of the brain affected and the bodily functions that area controls.

In general, the sudden appearance of any one or combination of the following symptoms may indicate a stroke:

Blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision
Confusion
Difficulty speaking or understanding others’ speech
Facial drooping
Intense headache
Loss of balance or coordination
Numbness or weakness on one side of the body

When to see a doctor

If you or someone else experiences stroke symptoms, even if they come and go, seek medical help immediately. Every second counts.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, B.E. F.A.S.T. and do the following test:

Balance: Ask the person to stand. Look for sudden loss of balance or coordination.
Eyes: Ask if they are experiencing double vision, blurriness, or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
Face: Ask the person to smile. Look for a droop on one or both sides of the face.
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Look for one arm to drift downward or feel weak.
Speech: Ask for the person to speak. Listen for slurred speech or difficulty finding words.
Time: Call 911 right away. Note the time symptoms started—this helps doctors decide on the best treatment.

Stroke risk factors

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but certain factors increase your risk. While you can't change your age or family history, understanding your risk and making healthy choices can help lower your chances of having a stroke.

Certain factors you can control make up 80% to 90% of all strokes:

High blood pressure
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Unhealthy diet
Smoking

Both types of stroke—ischemic and hemorrhagic—share common risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. However, some factors are unique to each type. For example, blood clots can form from heart conditions like coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation, while bleeding can happen from taking blood thinners.

Other risk factors include lifestyle, genetics and your environment:

Age

Stroke risk increases as you get older

Ask the Expert: Stroke causes and risk factors

What causes a stroke? Can diabetes increase stroke risk? Do you know what to do if someone is having a stroke?

Lauren Fournier, MD, vascular neurologist on the Baylor Scott & White medical staff, answers common questions about stroke and shares signs of stroke to look for.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

Calling 911 is the most effective way to ensure doctors can diagnose a stroke and start treatment as quickly as possible. When you arrive in the emergency department, a team that includes an emergency medicine physician, neurologist and other providers will diagnose a stroke by looking at your symptoms, medical history and results from tests and exams. They will determine the type of stroke, what caused it, which part of your brain was affected, and whether there was any bleeding. If you’ve had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), your doctor will investigate the cause to help prevent a stroke in the future.

Stroke treatment

Your doctor will treat your stroke based mostly on two factors: type and time.

Treatment for an ischemic stroke typically focuses on breaking up a blood clot and restoring blood flow as quickly as possible. If you are having a hemorrhagic stroke, your doctor will want to reduce blood pressure and stop the bleeding as soon as possible.

Based on the information provided by the medical history, neurological exam, imaging exams and other tests, your stroke care team will decide on the most appropriate form of treatment that can protect your health and limit long-term damage.

Medication

Whether you had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, medication will likely play a key role in treatment.

For an ischemic stroke, you may receive:

Tenecteplase (TNK) or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA or alteplase): This injectable medication breaks up blood clots so blood can once again reach oxygen-starved areas of the brain. This clot-busting medication is most helpful if you receive it within four and a half hours after your symptoms begin. The sooner the medication is given, the more brain cells can be saved—leading to better outcomes.
Anti-clotting medications: You may not be able to receive the clot-buster medication for certain medical reasons or if the window of time to administer it has passed. As a result, you may need medications to prevent or stop the growth of blood clots, like aspirin or clopidogrel.

For a hemorrhagic stroke, medication options include:

Blood pressure medication: Lowering blood pressure in the brain can help stop the bleeding from a ruptured vessel.
Prothrombin concentrate complex: This medication is sometimes used in people on blood thinners to help stop the bleeding.
Vitamin K: In some cases, physicians use vitamin K, which helps blood clot and assists with stopping bleeding in the brain.

Rapid stroke care when it matters most

When every minute counts, our expansive telestroke network provides vascular neurology consultations within minutes, 24/7, connecting people at hospitals across Central and Northern Texas with Baylor Scott & White stroke specialists.

With telestroke technology, your stroke team can:

Consult with a board-certified stroke neurologist within minutes
Reduce the time needed to deliver stroke treatments
Improve outcomes for you or a loved one having a stroke

Finding strength together: stroke support resources

Looking for a stroke support group near you? Baylor Scott & White offers a network of stroke resources designed to support both survivors and caregivers. Whether you prefer connecting virtually or attending in-person meetings across North and Central Texas, our stroke support groups provide a welcoming space to share, learn and heal.

Recovering from a stroke can be a challenging journey. Our support groups help survivors and their loved ones navigate life after a stroke, offering encouragement, shared experiences and practical advice. While family and friends are vital to recovery, connecting with others who truly understand can make a difference.

No matter where you receive care, all stroke survivors and caregivers are welcome to join our stroke support groups. You're not alone—we're here to help.

College Station

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station

When
4th Tuesday of every month from 2:30 - 3:15 PM

Format
In-person

Where
1600 Joseph Dr, Ste 2000
Bryan, TX 77802

Registration
No registration needed

For questions, please contact Charlla Neason at 979.213.7037 or Charlla.Neason@EncompassHealth.com.

Stroke care locations near you

When a stroke happens, every second counts. Getting fast, specialized care can make all the difference. Our network of stroke care locations ensures that you or your loved one can receive expert treatment as quickly as possible. Find a stroke care center near you and get the critical care you need, close to home.

Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center

4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093

Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center

4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093

What is a stroke?

Types of strokes

Ischemic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Stroke symptoms

When to see a doctor

Stroke risk factors

Age

Family history

Environmental factors

Health conditions

Lifestyle choices

Race and ethnicity

Sex

Other conditions

Ask the Expert: Stroke causes and risk factors

How is a stroke diagnosed?

Medical history and exam

Imaging and tests

Stroke treatment

Medication

Rehabilitation

Surgery

Rapid stroke care when it matters most

Finding strength together: stroke support resources

College Station

Dallas

Grapevine

Hillcrest

McKinney

Plano

Temple

Waxahachie

Stroke care locations near you

Frequently asked questions

What does a stroke feel like?

Can you have a stroke and not know it?

How can you avoid getting a stroke?

Can stress cause a stroke?

How common are strokes among the elderly?

How long does a stroke last?

Are strokes hereditary?

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