Frequently Asked Questions

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• What is a stroke and what are the warning signs of stroke?
  A stroke is an injury to the brain that may also severely affect the body. A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or when there is bleeding into or around the brain. This can happen if a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain or neck or if a weakened artery bursts in the brain. Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, heart disease, diabetes, and a high red blood cell count. The risk of stroke also increases with age. Heavy alcohol use increases your risk of bleeding (hemorrhagic) strokes. The warning signs for stroke may include a sudden, temporary weakness or numbness in your face or in your arm or leg; trouble talking or understanding others who are talking; temporary loss of eyesight, especially in one eye; double vision; unexplained headaches or a change in headache pattern; temporary dizziness or staggering when walking; or a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• When can I go back to work after my heart attack or heart surgery?
  The amount of time you should be off from work is determined on an individual basis by your physician and depends on the amount of damage sustained from a heart attack, your general state of health, whether you had heart surgery, and what type of work you do. In general, some patients may return to a desk job in 2 to 3 weeks after a heart attack or Minimally Invasive Bypass surgery. With a physically demanding job, 4 to 6 weeks is usually the earliest you may return to work. If you have had standard bypass surgery, it is generally 4 weeks before you can return to a desk job and it may be 8 to 12 weeks before you should return to a more physically demanding job. Be sure to consult with your doctor for individualized instructions.

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