Mayo Clinic Q&A: Seeking stroke care when minutes matter

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Many in my social circle are now at the age when we're more likely to have a stroke. What symptoms should we watch for? And what happens if someone has a stroke?

ANSWER: If you're 55 or older, you're at greater risk of stroke. A stroke is a medical emergency. It happens when either the blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts. In both cases, brain cells begin to die in minutes, so it can be life-changing to recognize the symptoms in your friends and family.

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