In reality, there is no set timeframe for strokes — some can last just minutes, while others can linger for hours or even days. The faster your stroke is treated, the better your chances of survival, so it's important to understand the symptoms of different types of strokes.
The longer a stroke goes untreated, the more damage can be done — possibly permanently — to the brain. “If you suspect you or someone you're with is having a stroke, don't hesitate to call 911,” Dr. Humbert says. “It could save a life.”
Because the cause of a stroke and the amount of damage it causes in the brain vary widely, there's no “typical” duration of a stroke. Some strokes last for a few minutes while others continue for hours or even days.
What Happens When a Stroke Is Left Untreated? After a stroke, most people will experience some type of disability or deficit. These adverse reactions take time to heal, and sometimes it is impossible to make a full recovery. However, with the proper treatment and recovery, most people can return to normal life.
A stroke can sometimes cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on how long the brain lacks blood flow and which part is affected. Complications may include: Paralysis or loss of muscle movement.
The first three days are of utmost importance for the recovery and survival rate of the stroke patient, since they can determine if the patient will have lifelong disabilities or leave the hospital and continue to be a productive part of the community.
“The first three months after a stroke are the most important for recovery and when patients will see the most improvement,” says Raghavan. During this time, most patients will enter and complete an inpatient rehabilitation program, or make progress in their outpatient therapy sessions.
During the first few days after your stroke, you might be very tired and need to recover from the initial event. Meanwhile, your team will identify the type of stroke, where it occurred, the type and amount of damage, and the effects. They may perform more tests and blood work.
In reality, there is no set timeframe for strokes — some can last just minutes, while others can linger for hours or even days. The faster your stroke is treated, the better your chances of survival, so it's important to understand the symptoms of different types of strokes.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
Silent Doesn't Mean Harmless
While silent strokes often pass undetected, the damage they cause can be quite noticeable. Once you suffer from a silent stroke, your chances of suffering from more strokes in the future increase. The damage caused to the brain can result in significant cognitive decline or even death.
Even after surviving a stroke, you're not out of the woods, since having one makes it a lot more likely that you'll have another. In fact, of the 795,000 Americans who will have a first stroke this year, 23 percent will suffer a second stroke.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
The stroke recovery process is long and can come with many challenges, including the feeling that symptoms are getting worse instead of better. However, know that regression after stroke is common and often temporary. This can be impacted by factors such as new medications, schedule changes, or excess fatigue.
Language switcher. The signs and symptoms of a stroke often develop quickly. However, they can develop over hours or even days, such as when a transient ischemic attack (TIA) turns into a stroke. The type of symptoms depends on the type of stroke and the area of the brain that is affected.
Heart attacks are more likely after a stroke, as they are linked to many of the same risk factors and health problems. Seizures after a stroke. These are also linked with a greater chance of death and more serious disability.
Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
If you think you are having a stroke and you are alone, then you need to conduct the FAST test immediately. At the slightest sign of a stroke, call 911. The sooner you speak to a 911 operator, the better because the stroke could soon take away your ability to communicate at all.
For this reason, the 60 minutes after the onset of stroke symptoms are known as “the golden hour.” If treatment can be initiated within this brief window, the patient's outcome is likely to be better.
A door-to-treatment time of 60 minutes or less is the goal. This 60-minute period is often referred to as the “golden hour” of acute ischemic stroke treatment during which a focused diagnostic workup must be completed to rule out conditions that may mimic stroke as well as contraindications to rt-PA administration.
Stroke recovery is unique to each person. However, most providers use Brunnstrom's seven stages of stroke recovery. The stages include flaccidity, spasticity appears, spasticity increases, spasticity decreases, complex movement combinations, spasticity disappears, and normal function returns.
Strokes can cause weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and can result in problems with co-ordination and balance. Many people also experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) in the first few weeks after a stroke, and may also have difficulty sleeping, making them even more tired.