In a medical emergency, every second counts. Strokes are the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States, affecting over 795,000 people each year.¹ The longer a stroke goes untreated, the more damage it does to the brain, and much of that damage can be irreversible. Knowing how to recognize a stroke and respond quickly can save a life.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off, reducing the necessary oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain. There are two main types:
Ischemic stroke: a blood clot or buildup of fatty plaque blocks an artery in the brain
Hemorrhagic stroke: a blood vessel bursts or leaks, causing bleeding inside the brain, most often due to head trauma or very high blood pressure
87% of strokes are ischemic.1
Fatty plaques (the cause of most strokes) don’t form overnight. They can build up over decades (30 to 50 years). High blood pressure or high sugar levels slowly create tiny tears in artery walls, allowing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to get trapped inside. The immune system treats this trapped cholesterol as an infection and tries to fight it off. Over time, the buildup of dead immune cells, calcium, and cholesterol hardens into a fatty plaque. If that plaque ruptures, the body sends clotting agents called platelets to seal the tear, and that clot can block blood flow to the brain entirely.²
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common but often more severe. When a blood vessel bursts, the brain cells it supplies are instantly cut off from oxygen. The blood that leaks out also pools and puts pressure on surrounding brain tissue, causing additional damage.³
Because brain cells begin to die within minutes of losing blood flow, a stroke can cause sudden paralysis, numbness, difficulty speaking, trouble swallowing, or changes in behavior, depending on which part of the brain is affected.³
Recognizing the Signs: The Cincinnati Stroke Scale
The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is a simple, three-part tool used to identify a possible stroke, and it works for anyone, not just medical professionals. Research shows that 80% of stroke patients show at least one of these signs.4 Here is how to check:
Facial Droop
Ask the person to smile.
Normal: both sides of face move equally
Abnormal: one side of face droops or doesn’t move
Arm drift
Ask the person to hold both arms straight out in front of them, palms facing up, and hold that position for 10 seconds with their eyes closed.
Normal: both arms move the same amount or not at all
Abnormal: one arm falls or drifts downward, while the other arm stays up
Speech
Ask the person to repeat: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Normal: Words are clear and easy to understand
Abnormal: Slurred speech, wrong wording, or no speech at all
If a person fails even one of these three tests, there is a 72% chance they are having a stroke.4 Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Call 911 immediately.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Anyone can have a stroke, but the risk is higher for people who:
Are older than the age of 65
Use recreational or non-prescribed drugs
Smoke or use nicotine in any form, including vaping
Certain health conditions also raise the risk:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
Type 2 diabetes
Alcohol use disorder
Frequent migraine headaches
A history of COVID-191
The good news is that many of these risk factors can be managed through daily habits. Eating a high-fiber diet, limiting saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium, reducing alcohol and nicotine, and staying physically active all help prevent the fatty plaque buildup that leads to ischemic stroke.3
DO More Often | LIMIT These |
|
|
These changes don't have to happen all at once. Starting with one small swap per week is enough to make a difference. And if fresh produce is hard to access or too expensive in your area, shelf-stable options work just as well. Canned tuna provides the same healthy fats as fresh fish at a fraction of the cost. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are nutritionally comparable to fresh, just rinse canned vegetables before eating to reduce excess sodium.
What to Do If You Think You're Having a Stroke
If you suddenly feel your face drooping, lose strength in one arm, or have trouble speaking, act immediately:
Call 911 — do not drive yourself. If symptoms worsen, you could lose control behind the wheel.
Unlock your front door — if you lose consciousness while waiting for paramedics, this allows them to reach you faster.
Sit or lie down — strokes can cause dizziness and loss of balance. Getting low prevents a dangerous fall.
Do not take aspirin — if the stroke is hemorrhagic, blood thinners can make the bleeding worse.
What to Do If Someone Else Is Having a Stroke
If you are with someone who may be having a stroke, get help immediately. Call 911 or head to the nearest stroke center. While waiting for the ambulance:
Note the exact time symptoms started — write it down if you can. This information affects treatment decisions.
Do not give food or drink — strokes can affect swallowing, and choking is a real risk.
Do not give medication — blood thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Xarelto, Eliquis) can worsen bleeding strokes.
Prepare a medication list — if available, have a list of the person's current medications and allergies ready for emergency responders.
Stroke Centers in Los Angeles County
A stroke center is a specialized hospital unit equipped to provide rapid, expert care for stroke patients. Always call 911 first. Paramedics are trained to transport patients to the most appropriate facility. But knowing your nearest stroke center can help you feel prepared.⁵
Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
1401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles
4867 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center
2801 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806
Los Angeles General Medical Center
2051 Marengo Street Los Angeles CA 90033
PIH Health Whittier Hospital
12401 Washington Blvd, Whittier, CA 90602
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91767
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
501 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91505
Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center
1050 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Stroke Centers in Orange County
The following hospitals are officially designated Stroke Neurology Receiving Centers by the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Agency:6
Hoag Hospital Newport Beach
1 Hoag Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92663
UCI Health – Orange (UCI Medical Center)
101 The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868
Providence St. Jude Medical Center
101 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, CA 92835
Providence St. Joseph Hospital
1100 W Stewart Dr, Orange, CA 92868
Mission Hospital – Mission Viejo
27700 Medical Center Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
24451 Health Center Dr, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
UCI Health – Fountain Valley
17100 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
UCI Health – Los Alamitos
3751 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Orange County Global Medical Center
1001 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Sources
CDC. (2025, July 10). Stroke facts. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
Brown, R. (2024). Stroke. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Stroke: What it is, causes, symptoms, treatment & types. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5601-stroke
American Stroke Association. (2019). Assessing stroke: Scores and scales. https://www.stroke.org/-/media/files/affiliates/gra/gra-qsi/2019-scbc-presentations/5--assessing-stroke--scores--scales.pdf
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (2024). Los Angeles County disaster resource centers [Reference No. 1102.1]. https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhs/1203281_1102.1.pdf
Orange County Health Care Agency. (n.d.). EMS hospitals. https://ochealthinfo.com/providers-partners/emergency-medical-services/ems-system-providers/ems-hospitals