Understanding Stroke: Causes and Impact on Brain Health

A stroke sometimes called a brain attack or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. Because of this rupture or blockage, part of the brain doesn’t get the flow of blood it needs. Deprived of oxygen, nerve cells can’t work either. The devastating effects of stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells aren’t replaced.

Symptoms of Stroke

B.E.F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. B.E.F.A.S.T. is:

• Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• ​Eyes – Is there a sudden change in vision or trouble seeing?
• Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
• Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
• Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Initiatives to Improve Stroke Outcomes

Arkansas Stroke Registry

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) launched the Arkansas Stroke Registry (ASR) to collect patient data from hospitals treating Arkansans. This program allows ADH to partner with facilities to help track, measure, and optimize the quality of stroke care for all Arkansans. For more information on the ASR program.

• Acute Stroke Care Task Force (ASCTF)

The General Assembly of the State of Arkansas has long recognized the importance of improving stroke care in our state and approved Act 663 in 2005 to form the ASCTF.

Quality Improvement Tools

• Stroke Regional Contacts
• Stroke Protocol Example
• Time Targets
• DTN – Patient-Related Exclusions
• Stroke Team Presentation
• Concurrent Review Document
• BE FAST
• Applying Filters to GWTG-IRP

Contact Information

ADH Stroke Program
Arkansas Department of Health
Stroke/STEMI Section
4815 W. Markham St., Mailing Slot 14
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-3867
Phone: 501-614-5232