World Stroke Day 2019

HARLINGEN –  World Stroke Day –  Tuesday, October 29th, Valley Baptist Health System is encouraging the community to learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of stroke.

Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease which affects the arteries leading to the brain and the arteries within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and that part of the brain starts to die.

Without timely treatment, stroke can cause long-term disability and death. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.