Here is a very detailed description of Strokes
A stroke is caused by a blocked or bleeding artery in the brain. Most strokes are due to blocked arteries that supply blood to the brain and are called ischemic strokes. Strokes due to bursting of brain blood vessels are called hemorrhagic strokes. Intra-cerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding into the brain itself, while subarachnoid hemorrhage is due to bleeding around the base of the brain. A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to a blood vessel to the brain lasting less than 24 hours. Another, rarer, form of stroke can occur when a vein (that drains blood out of the brain) is blocked. This is called a venous stroke.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
It is important to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly. Common stroke symptoms seen in both men and women:
o Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg — especially on one side of the body
o Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
o Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
o Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
o Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Women may report unique stroke symptoms
o sudden face and limb pain
o sudden hiccups
o sudden nausea
o sudden general weakness
o sudden chest pain
o sudden shortness of breath
o sudden palpitations

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
This is very good to know……Questions to ask:
 
1.  *Ask the individual to SMILE. DOES ONE SIDE OF THE FACE DROOP?

2.  *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. DOES ONE ARM DRIFT DOWNWARD?

3.  *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (ie .  It is sunny out today.)  ARE THE WORDS SLURRED?  CAN HE/SHE REPEAT THE SENTENCE CORRECTLY?

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.