Some healthcare experts say patients can significantly minimize the severity of strokes by receiving treatment within three hours of the first onset of symptoms.

Warning signs for a stroke include weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, numbness or tingling of the face or one side of the body, confusion or trouble understanding, trouble speaking, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and severe, unusual headaches.

"Every second counts," said Michael Schneck, M.D. "Time is brain."
Experts say if you or someone you know experiences one or more of the symptoms of a stroke to seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 911.

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the number three cause of death in the United States, behind diseases of the heart and cancer. About 795,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds, according to the American Stroke Association.

Common risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity.