Understanding Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that needs immediate action. Every second counts and acting quickly can mean the difference between full recovery and long-term disability or even death.

What is a stroke?

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. It is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced. Without a blood supply, your brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, and brain cells begin to die within minutes.

What are stroke symptoms?

Recognizing the early warning signs of stroke and acting immediately can saves lives. Remember to B.E F.A.S.T.

• Balance: Is the person experiencing sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• Eyes: Is the person having difficulty focusing or are they experiencing double vision? Can they see clearly?
• Face: Is the person able to smile fully? Is their face drooping on one side?
• Arms: Can the person raise both arms or does one arm drop?
• Speech: Is the person able to speak? Is their speech slurred or strange?
• Time: Time is of the essence. Call 999 immediately if you see any of these signs.

Take action! The sooner a person receives medical attention, the better their chances of recovery. Read more about stroke symptoms here.

What causes a stroke?

There are several modifiable risk factors (things we can control) that can increase your risk of stroke:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Obesity and poor diet
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High cholesterol

The good news? Many of these risk factors are preventable or manageable with the right lifestyle choices, regular health screenings, and early intervention.

Understanding stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Both types can cause brain damage within minutes.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, involves a temporary blockage and usually resolves on its own within minutes or hours. Never ignore a TIA as it may be a serious warning sign of a potential full stroke.

Why early treatment matters

When stroke symptoms begin, the brain starts losing millions of neurons each minute. Immediate medical care is essential to restore blood flow, minimize brain damage and improve long-term outcomes.

Stroke excellence at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is designated as a Stroke Centre of Excellence by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. The facility also has Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from the American Stroke Association (ASA), a division of the American Heart Association (AHA) and was the first in the UAE to receive the "Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus" award from the AHA.

We are leading the way in stroke care, offering 24/7 emergency treatment, advanced diagnostics, and comprehensive rehabilitation, all under one roof. Our world-class team is always on standby, delivering life-saving care within minutes of arrival.

Empowering the next generation of first responders

Often it is the younger generation who are present when older family members show early signs of stroke. Educating youngsters to recognize these early signs and symptoms could save the life of a loved one. Learn more.

Life after stroke

Every stroke patient’s path to recovery is different. We provide personalized rehabilitation programs designed to restore independence and quality of life. Bringing together expert physical, occupational, and speech therapists, our neurorehabilitation team helps stroke survivors to regain mobility and strength, improve communication and cognitive skills, and rebuild confidence and independence. Learn more.