Types of Stroke and Their Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Each year in the United States, nearly 800,000 people suffer strokes. This means that every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, while an American dies from a stroke “every 3 minutes and 14 seconds.” Strokes aren’t always equal in severity, but there is still a significant impact on brain cell damage, death, and overall brain performance. These effects manifest in various physical and cognitive ways. Learn the types of stroke and symptoms to watch for, and discover and how the Aviv Medical Program can play a part in a post-stroke rehabilitation journey. 

Types of Stroke: Ischemic, Hemorrhagic, and TIA Explained

There are three primary types of strokes: 

1. Hemorrhagic: Caused by bleeding in or around the brain
2. Ischemic: Caused by a blockage like a blood clot, which cuts off blood supply to the brain
3. Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A mini-stroke in which blood blockage is temporary or short-lived

Ischemic strokes comprise about 87% of all strokes, a number that also encompasses TIAs. Hemorrhagic strokes make up the remaining 13%.”

What Is a TIA? Understanding Mini-Stroke Symptoms and Risks

Though a TIA is often referred to as a mini-stroke, it’s vital to understand that such an event can be just as damaging as a traditional stroke in the long run. The number one risk factor for having a stroke is a previous stroke, including a TIA.

While the definition of a TIA has evolved over the past two decades, most neurologists now diagnostically classify a TIA as a type of stroke, and not just an “attack,” because it still represents ischemic activity. 

If you experience a TIA, you should take it seriously. Think of it this way: maybe you didn’t get fatally shot, but you still got hit.

Stroke Symptoms: How to Recognize the Warning Signs

With a stroke, timely intervention is critical. According to experts, an individual can lose nearly 2 million brain cells in each minute following a stroke, which further heightens the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, and death. So, everyone must know the signs and symptoms of a possible stroke.

You may be familiar with the FAST acronym for identifying a stroke. Regardless of the types of stroke, facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are three of the best-known symptoms, the FAST method may miss up to 14% of stroke cases. A recent article in the journal Stroke suggests the wide adoption of the mnemonic BE-FAST.

• B: Balance. Is the person struggling with balance or coordination?
• E: Eyes. Has their vision suddenly changed? Do they have blurring, double vision, or vision loss?
• F: Facial drooping. Is the person able to smile normally?
• A: Arm weakness. Can the person raise both arms to equal height? Or does one drift downward?
• S: Speech difficulty. Are they slurring their words or having trouble communicating thoughts?
• T: Time is tissue. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

 

Lesser-Known Stroke Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

While those mentioned are the classic stroke symptoms most often discussed by physicians and stroke awareness advocates, additional signs may point to stroke. 

For example, nausea, dizziness or vertigo, confusion, and visual changes may also be indicators. Sometimes, if the TIA affects the frontal-temporal lobe, a person might have a sudden personality change.

Ultimately, any sudden change should be considered a stroke possibility. Again, the highest risk factor for stroke is a previous one, so the older a person gets, the more likely they are to develop a stroke. 

However, children, teenagers, and young adults are not immune. There may have been anatomical factors while in the womb, heart arrhythmias, or external exposures such as drugs and alcohol. In some scenarios, extreme stress can bring on a stroke.

Why Fast Stroke Response Saves Brain Cells

If treatment takes place within three hours of symptom onset, there is a much greater chance that an individual will recover with little or no disability. If intervention is delayed, there are still some options available:

• Thrombolysis: Advancements in ischemic stroke treatment include a method called intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), which involves medicine that works as a clot-buster to restore blood flow to the brain. It is administered via an IV, so no surgical intervention is required. 

However, this treatment must be given within the first four-and-a-half hours of stroke occurrence. If that window closes, the patient is typically not eligible to receive the medication unless indicated by imaging.

• Thrombectomy: Another option is mechanical thrombectomy. This non-invasive procedure involves inserting a catheter into the arteries, navigating to where the clot is, and retrieving it. Studies note, “mechanical thrombectomy significantly improved functional independence and appeared to be cost-effective compared to IVT alone.”
• Combined approach: Scientists have also developed an approach that combines medicinal thrombolytic treatment with mechanical thrombectomy. Research indicates that integrating the two in a primary stroke center has benefits comparable to care in a comprehensive stroke center, “with no statistically significant difference.”

What to Do When Stroke Symptoms Appear

As soon as you experience any symptoms of stroke, call 9-1-1. Don’t drive yourself to the emergency room. Instead, wait for the EMTs. In most cases, emergency response workers can start making critical assessments and relay the stroke response team waiting at the hospital.

It can’t be emphasized enough: a timely response means everything. Once the stopwatch begins, you have very little time to act to optimize outcomes.

How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke with Lifestyle Changes

The CDC reports that “you can help prevent stroke by making healthy lifestyle choices.” Although some strokes are caused by factors beyond your control, you can take ownership of your health and longevity by incorporating these small changes: 

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Consider transitioning to a Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, which can offer anti-inflammatory and cognitive benefits. 
• Get regular exercise. We recommend 30 minutes of exercise three days a week at a minimum. Physical activity releases endorphins, helping you feel good. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure, reducing a common stroke risk factor. Consider pursuing an activity you thoroughly enjoy to stay motivated. 
• Find helpful ways to cope with stress. Stress can negatively impact the brain. Look for ways to manage stress, such as therapy or counseling, interacting with loved ones regularly, or meditating. Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol to cope with stress, as these behaviors can increase your risk of stroke.

These are all simple ways to invest in your health to avoid preventable issues in the future.

Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help After a Stroke?

If you or a loved one has had a stroke with cognitive or physical after-effects, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a potential rehabilitation option. HBOT can elevate oxygen levels in the blood up to 20 times higher than normal. 

Decades of research note that the impact HBOT has on the mind and body can lead to significant neurological improvements in post-stroke patients, even at chronic late stages. These findings offer hope for individuals who have experienced strokes months or even years ago. 

Keep in mind that HBOT protocols and types of chambers used across clinics will vary. The studies above used a specific HBOT protocol, so it’s essential to do your research to find a HBOT clinic that is right for you. 

Post-Stroke Recovery with the Aviv Medical Program

The scientifically backed hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol used in the Aviv Medical Program may help repair and regenerate the brain after a stroke. Our unique HBOT protocol includes fluctuating oxygen levels during sessions. This evidence-based method not only floods tissues with much-needed oxygen but sparks a physiological reaction that initiates the body’s innate self-healing mechanisms. 

Based on your condition, symptoms, medical history, and recovery goals, our physicians prescribe a personalized Aviv Medical Program, which may include hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside other interventions, including: 

• Cognitive exercises
• Physical training 
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Nutritional coaching
• Other interventions as prescribed

The Aviv Medical Program embodies a customized approach to each patient’s health program. Learn more about our research and how you can return to optimal health after a stroke. 

Start Your Stroke Recovery Journey at Aviv Clinics

Aviv Clinics’ research-backed program has helped thousands of patients elevate their quality of life after different types of stroke. If you or your loved one suffers from debilitating conditions, our diverse medical team is ready to lend a hand. 

Contact us to learn more about the Aviv Medical Program and how it can benefit post-stroke recovery.

 

Last Updated July 14, 2025