A stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA) occurs when an area of your brain stops getting blood and oxygen. It may be caused by a blocked artery, or by a leaking or bursting blood vessel.
A stroke can be prevented by controlling your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.
A stroke happens when a blood vessel bursts or clot blocks a blood flow to the brain. This can cause damage and lead to long-term health problems.
Symptoms of a stroke can be different for each person and depend on what part of the brain is affected. Some symptoms are obvious, like trouble walking or having a severe headache. Others can be harder to detect, such as numbness or weakness in one arm or leg. People may also have difficulty speaking, or their speech can be slurred or strange. They might have a hard time understanding what other people are saying or they may have a sudden change in their sense of smell and taste. They may also have trouble balancing and can’t walk on their own.
Some types of stroke are more serious than others. The quicker a person gets treatment, the less likely they are to have permanent health issues. Getting care at a hospital within three hours of the first signs of a stroke can greatly reduce the chance of permanent brain damage or death.
Sometimes, people have a TIA, or a mini-stroke. TIA symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, but they don’t last and they shouldn’t be ignored. More than three out of 10 people who don’t get treated after having a TIA will have a major stroke in the future.
The most common type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which is when a blood vessel in or near the brain breaks and leaks. Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by a number of things, including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (a fast and irregular heart rhythm), smoking, diabetes, having a family history of stroke, high cholesterol and aneurysms.
A person who has had a stroke can’t completely recover their health, but they can do several things to improve their quality of life. They should eat a healthy diet, limit how much red meat and salt they consume and exercise regularly. They should also take medications to manage their risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, and see a healthcare provider for a wellness visit each year.
The most common type of stroke is ischemic, caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery, depriving part of the brain of oxygen and killing cells. The second most common type is hemorrhagic, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leaking blood into the space between the brain and the membrane that covers it (subarachnoid hemorrhage).
The time it takes for symptoms to appear is an important factor when deciding whether to call 911. The earlier that patients receive emergency treatment, the better their chances of a full recovery.
To diagnose a stroke, doctors ask questions about the patient’s history and do a physical exam. They check the strength of the arms, legs, and hands; their vision and senses; and how well they speak. The doctor also listens for a sound in the blood vessels of the neck, called a bruit, that may indicate a problem with blood flow.
Other tests can help find out the cause of a stroke. A CT scan or MRI can show if there is a clot or if an artery has ruptured. A CAT scan or an ultrasound can help find out how much blood is trapped in the brain. Blood tests can measure the amount of oxygen in the blood, which indicates how well your arteries are working.
People who have had a previous stroke or heart attack are at increased risk for another one. They’re also at greater risk for TIAs, which are sometimes called mini-strokes. TIAs have the same symptoms as stroke, but they don’t last and usually don’t cause any permanent damage. If they occur in someone who hasn’t had a stroke before, however, they can be a warning sign that he or she is at risk for a serious stroke.
Other conditions that increase the risk of a stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and illicit drug use. Smoking and having a family history of vascular disease raise the risk as well. Research has found that the flu can raise the risk of having a stroke.
Stroke is life-threatening and requires prompt medical care to prevent serious complications. The treatment plan depends on where in the brain the stroke occurs and its severity. It also depends on whether it is a hemorrhagic stroke or an ischemic stroke.
Ischemic strokes occur when brain cells don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients because a blood clot or other blockage interrupts or cuts off the flow of blood. Most ischemic strokes happen when a clot forms inside the brain (thrombosis), or when a fragment of a clot that formed elsewhere in the body breaks free and travels to the brain (embolism). Sometimes small blood vessels in the brain block off (lacunar strokes), which can be caused by long-term high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, as well as some heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation.
Hemorrhagic strokes are often treated with drugs to thin the blood, stop bleeding or reduce high blood pressure. These include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. These are given in a vein (IV) or by mouth. They may also be given surgery to remove the blood clot or repair the damaged blood vessel.
The outlook for recovery can improve over weeks, months and even years, depending on the types of stroke you have and how severe they are. The recovery process can be slow and frustrating, but it’s important to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
You can lower your risk of having a stroke by managing your health conditions and preventing complications from other diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Getting regular checkups and having a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps too. You should also try to quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight. And make sure you attend all your rehabilitation and therapy appointments, as they are key to your recovery.
Many strokes can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise and not smoking. Having your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked regularly also helps prevent these diseases. Certain medical conditions and illnesses also increase your risk for stroke, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and migraines. You can help reduce your risk of having a second stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) by taking medication for these conditions and following your doctor’s recommendations for treatment.
The most common cause of a stroke is a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel to the brain. This type of stroke is called an ischemic stroke. Other causes include problems with the blood vessels in the brain, such as Moyamoya disease, and some heart problems like irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation).
The damage caused by a stroke depends on where in the brain the clot occurs and how quickly treatment starts. People who have a smaller stroke can recover, but the longer a person waits to be treated, the more brain cells die and the less likely they are to regain function.
If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911 right away. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of a good outcome.
Thrombolytic therapy — This involves giving a medication called alteplase or tPA, which dissolves clots in the blood vessels in the brain that are causing a stroke. It is best given in hospitals that have expertise in this treatment and can offer intensive care services, rapid consultation with a neurologist (a physician who specializes in the brain) and brain and vascular imaging with CT or MRI scans.
Mechanical thrombectomy — This procedure removes a blood clot from the inside of an artery in the brain by inserting a catheter and then using a device that can dislodge and remove the clot. It can be done in some patients who have had a hemorrhagic stroke and can improve long-term disability.
Taking blood thinners to reduce your risk of having another stroke or a clot in the lungs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) may be recommended after a stroke. These medications are usually taken for long periods of time and can have serious side effects, including increased risk of bleeding in the brain or other parts of the body.
Stroke symptoms can be a sign of serious medical problems. They are important to check for and get treatment right away. A healthcare provider will use a neurological examination and diagnostic imaging tests to diagnose a stroke.
A doctor can diagnose a stroke based on the FAST test: Face — Does one side of the mouth droop? Arms — Can the person lift both arms over their head? Speech — Is the person’s speech slurred or difficult to understand?
A stroke can interfere with the way your brain and body use food for energy. This can cause a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. Your doctor can recommend healthy diet strategies to help you regain your appetite. You may also need to work with your allied health team to improve your ability to eat and swallow.
The most common kind of stroke is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot blocks blood vessels to your brain, cutting off oxygen flow. Blood clots can form in your blood vessels, break off from other parts of your body and travel to your brain (embolic stroke), or they can be caused by long-term high blood pressure or other conditions such as diabetes (hypertension, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia).
Other symptoms of a stroke include a drooping face or loss of balance. If you or someone you know has these signs, act FAST and call 911. Even if the person claims that their symptoms are gone, get medical help right away because time is critical for stroke treatment that can reverse damage and reduce the risk of complications.
Some people have a condition called transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke, which has many of the same symptoms as a stroke but doesn’t last very long. TIA symptoms can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours and are often a warning that a full-blown stroke is coming soon.
The risk of having a stroke increases with age. Other risk factors include a family history of stroke, a poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and certain medications such as birth control pills or SSRI antidepressants.
Dizziness is one of the more common stroke symptoms. It can occur on one or both sides of the body and affect how you sit, balance, walk and move. A stroke can affect the muscles that control your arms and legs, so you might not be able to lift them or hold them up over your head. Strokes can also affect how your brain works, making it difficult to speak clearly and causing slurred speech. If you experience new, severe or persistent dizziness, call your doctor right away.
You can reduce your risk of a stroke by staying active, eating well, managing your weight and taking medication. You should also get regular checkups with your doctor to look at blood pressure, cholesterol and other medical conditions that increase your risk of a stroke.
A stroke happens when part of your brain doesn’t have a steady supply of oxygen, usually because of a blocked artery. When this happens, brain cells die due to a lack of oxygen. This is called an ischemic stroke.
Strokes can be fatal, and the sooner you receive treatment, the less likely it is that the damage will become permanent. You can spot a stroke by using the FAST acronym to remember its key signs:
It’s important to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and act fast – time lost is brain lost! If you think someone is having a stroke, use the FAST test and call 911 (or your local emergency services number). It’s important to know what time the symptoms started so that you can tell the healthcare provider when they first began. Carer Gateway can help you find support and services if you are caring for someone who has had a stroke.
A stroke can affect your sense of vision in several ways. Sometimes the damage to your brain causes your eyes to lose their ability to move quickly between objects or see more than one object at a time. This can make it hard to reach for objects in your home or navigate walking outdoors. Other times, the damage to your brain can lead to difficulty recognising faces and colours or making sense of what you’re seeing. This is called visual neglect.
If you suspect a friend or family member is having a stroke, watch them closely for changes. The sooner they get medical help, the more likely it is that their symptoms will resolve or that the damage to their brain will be limited. Try to remember when their symptoms started, as this can help determine what kind of treatment they need.
The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, which happens when blood clots block the arteries that supply oxygen to your brain. These clots are often caused by fatty deposits and cholesterol that build up in your arteries. Another cause of ischemic stroke is a blood vessel in your brain bursting — this is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
A hemorrhagic stroke can also cause vision problems. Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by an uncontrolled bleeding disorder or by some health conditions that increase your risk of stroke, including atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. The faster a person with stroke gets to a hospital, the more likely they are to have their symptoms reduced or reversed.
People who experience numbness or weakness following a stroke should seek medical attention, especially if it affects one side of the body and/or is sudden. Numbness and weakness may be due to a lack of oxygen to brain cells. If brain cells go too long without oxygen, they die. This can cause the loss of some functions, such as movement and speech.
When a person is numb, they can’t feel touch, pain, hot or cold, or know where the parts of their body are (position sense). Sometimes they have a pins-and-needles sensation and/or have trouble walking or keeping their balance. They may also be unable to control bladder or bowel movements.
If numbness is a sign of a stroke, doctors can help the person to recover by restoring blood flow to brain cells. They’ll ask questions about the person’s symptoms and when they started. They might test the person’s blood pressure and heart rate and give them a heart scan, which can show whether there are clots or damage to the blood vessels in the neck or brain.
They might also recommend taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or nitrates, which can lower the chance of another stroke. They’ll also talk about lifestyle changes and work habits that might influence the risk of a stroke.
Anyone who has a stroke needs to follow up with their healthcare provider, and go to their rehabilitation/therapy appointments. This can make a big difference in how much a person recovers. People who don’t follow up with their doctor or miss their rehab/therapy appointments will not recover as well.
If someone has a stroke, their brain can’t get enough oxygen because of a ruptured or blocked blood vessel. When a person doesn’t get enough oxygen, their brain cells die. When this happens, the person may have trouble with their thinking and speech. They may also have muscle weakness and problems with their eyesight.
Strokes happen when a part of the brain is damaged by a ruptured or blocked blood vessel, or by a hemorrhage. The damage can be caused by a brain tumor, head or neck injury, or other medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. People who have certain health issues are more likely to have a stroke, such as high blood pressure or a history of heart disease. Other risk factors for a stroke include age, race (African Americans are more likely to have a stroke than other races), family history of a stroke and gender.
Symptoms of a stroke can be sudden, but sometimes they develop over hours or days. The key is to recognize the symptoms and act FAST. If you see any of these symptoms, call 911 right away – even if the symptom goes away.
There are treatments that can help reverse some of the effects of a stroke, including surgery and medicine. Rehabilitation can also help change the way your brain works so that it can compensate for a damaged part. Other treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology.
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, time is crucial. Get them to hospital quickly, because the sooner they receive treatment, the better their outcome.
Emergency treatment begins on the way to the hospital, with tests that help doctors figure out what type of stroke they’re dealing with. This might include a cerebral angiogram, which highlights blood vessels with dye.
This type of stroke happens when a blood clot restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain. It can also be caused by the fatty buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries that supply blood to your brain (atherosclerosis), by an abnormal heart rhythm called arrhythmia, or by an injury to your artery (arterial dissection). A stroke can also be associated with certain health conditions such as inherited blood clotting disorders and heart infections.
The first step in treating ischemic stroke is to start treatment within three to four and a half hours after your symptoms begin. This is important because the longer you wait, the more brain damage occurs and your chances for recovery decline.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they started. They will also check your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. If they suspect you’re having a stroke, they will use an imaging test to find the cause. This may include a computed tomography scan or an MRI.
The most common treatment is a blood-thinning medicine known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication breaks up existing clots and prevents new ones from forming. It’s given intravenously. The clot-dissolving medication must be given within 4.5 hours after your symptoms begin. It is less effective after that, and it increases your risk of bleeding complications.
Another treatment option is a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy. This involves inserting a tube-like device — called a catheter — into a large blood vessel in your arm or leg. The catheter then goes to the clot in your brain. When the catheter reaches the clot, it either sucks up the clot or breaks it up and carries it away.
During the procedure, doctors lower your body temperature slightly because this makes your brain cells more durable against damage from stroke-related inflammation. They will also give you fluids through a vein in your arm or hand. They will test your ability to raise your arms and move your legs to see if you have any weakness or problems with balance or coordination (ataxia). They will also test your speech and language skills, checking for slurring and difficulty speaking clearly. Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will help you learn how to manage activities of daily living like bathing, eating, and cooking. They’ll also teach you how to safely take your medicines.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into brain tissue. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke and get emergency treatment right away. Without immediate care, these strokes are often life-threatening or can cause severe brain damage and coma.
In general, treatments for hemorrhagic stroke are similar to those for ischemic strokes. The first step is to lower blood pressure to prevent further bleeding or clots. Medications called anti-clotting agents may also be used to reduce the risk of blood clots in the brain.
For some people, the body’s natural ability to form a clot after an injury doesn’t work as it should. In these cases, the doctor may give a drug called recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also known as alteplase or Activase — via IV within 4.5 hours of when symptoms started. TPA helps restore blood flow by breaking up the clot that is causing the stroke.
Another treatment option is the Merci Retriever, which was approved by the FDA in 2004 to treat hemorrhagic strokes. It is a long tube with a small catheter inside it. The catheter is fed through an incision in the groin and into the blood vessels in the neck. It’s then guided to the site of the clot, which is located in the arteries that supply the brain. When the device is activated, a straight wire inside the catheter coils around the clot and grabs it, pulling it out of the artery.
Some hemorrhagic strokes are caused by a ruptured aneurysm. These can be treated with surgery to repair the weak area in the blood vessel that is leaking or with medication to stop or slow further bleeds. If too much blood builds up and puts pressure on the brain, the doctor may have to operate to remove the accumulated blood.
Because of muscle weakness or paralysis, many stroke survivors are at increased risk for falls. To help avoid this complication, doctors may prescribe physical therapy programs that focus on strength training and balance retraining. They may also recommend medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol and other health conditions that increase the risk of a stroke.
Neurosurgery is the surgical treatment of disorders that affect your central and peripheral nervous system (the brain and spinal cord, plus all the nerves that extend from the spine). It’s a sister discipline to neuromedicine, which deals with the diagnosis of neurological problems using medications. Neurosurgeons treat people of all ages, from newborns with congenital disorders to the elderly who may have suffered a stroke or other neurological problem.
The field is demanding. It requires a rigorous 7-year residency followed by years of high-pressure work as an attending neurosurgeon. It’s a self-selecting group of highly driven people who love the practice of surgery and have a strong intellectual curiosity about the human brain and mind. It’s an exciting field with a lot of adrenaline and unpredictability. It can be very rewarding for the right person, but you have to really want it more than anything else in your life to stick with it through the rigors of training and into your career.
Neurosurgeons are also involved in research to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments, and they oversee the clinical trials of new therapies. In addition to their hands-on patient care, they often serve as consultants for emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners and osteopaths.
There are many different types of surgery performed by a neurosurgeon, depending on your condition. For example, if you have an intraparenchymal hemorrhage that hasn’t absorbed yet, the neurosurgeon may open your skull and gently evacuate the bleeding. They might use a device called an endoscope to treat a ruptured aneurysm by inserting a clip or coil. They might remove a tumor from your head or spinal column or perform a spinal fusion. They might remove a herniated disc with power drills and special instruments, or they might use spinal rongeurs (scissorlike devices that gouge out bone) to repair a degenerative spine.
Some neurosurgeons specialize in certain conditions, such as vascular neurosurgery or pediatric neurosurgery. They may also practice functional or stereotactic neurosurgery, which involves modulating the electrical circuitry of your brain or spinal cord with precise electrodes. This is a shift away from the ablative or lesioning techniques of older neurosurgical approaches, and it promises to be very effective in treating some brain conditions.
The treatment you receive during rehabilitation will depend on the type of stroke and which part of your brain was affected. You may need therapy to help you speak, move and eat. You will also be given treatment to prevent another stroke and reduce the risk of complications such as clots, infections and depression.
If you have had a haemorrhagic stroke, treatment to stop the bleeding is likely to be needed. This might include surgery to remove any clots that are blocking the blood vessels in your brain. You will need to take medicines to help prevent another stroke, including blood-thinning drugs and pills to lower your blood pressure.
You will be assessed by doctors, nurses and therapists working together as a team to give you expert care. It is important that you let them know how the stroke has affected your life so they can help you to recover as much as possible. You will be offered treatments that can reduce the chance of having another stroke, such as taking blood-thinning medicine and keeping a healthy weight.
The earlier you get to hospital after a stroke, the more effective the treatment will be. You will be given a bed in a specialist rehabilitation ward and health professionals will work with you to create a rehabilitation plan that sets goals. This will be reviewed regularly to make sure that you are getting the right support to achieve your recovery goals.
Your therapists will use a variety of techniques to help you regain movement and improve your ability to carry out daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the toilet. You will also be given help to cope with any mental health problems that develop, such as anxiety or depression. You can join a patient support group to meet people who have had the same experience and to share tips about coping with these issues.
As well as physical and occupational therapy, you will be given medication to manage any problems that arise, such as pain, headaches or high blood pressure. Your therapists will also explain any changes that you need to make to your lifestyle to prevent another stroke happening.
A stroke happens when a blood clot blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Without enough blood, your brain cells die within minutes. This medical emergency can cause serious symptoms like numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden headache and trouble understanding speech.
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. You’re more likely to have a TIA (also called a mini-stroke) before you have a full stroke.
Ischemic strokes are when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot. When this happens, brain cells die and the person may lose abilities controlled by those cells, like walking or talking. Most people who have ischemic strokes get better with medical care, including treatment to break up or remove the clot and other treatments to help restore blood flow. The faster treatment is given, the more likely it is that the person will keep most or all of their abilities.
Some of the most common symptoms of ischemic stroke are weakness on one side of the face (asymmetry), trouble raising or moving the arms (difficulty reaching and dropping), and problems with speech (slurred words). A person who has had these symptoms should be taken to a hospital with a stroke unit as quickly as possible, because the sooner they get treatment, the less damage they will have to their brain and the more likely they will be to recover.
Doctors use imaging tests to find out what caused the stroke and where the clot is located in the brain. These include CT scans, an MRI, or a computed tomographic angiogram (CTA). If a person has had a TIA, they should tell their doctor right away so that they can get treatment to stop the blood clot from forming again.
Several things can raise your risk for having a ischemic stroke, including being older, smoking, having high blood pressure, and having diabetes. You are also more likely to have a stroke if you have had a previous stroke or if someone in your family has had one.
Another thing that increases your risk for ischemic stroke is having small vessel disease, which is when the blood vessels in your brain become narrow and reduce blood flow. This can happen as a result of high blood pressure, cholesterol, or triglycerides, or it can be hereditary. You can lower your risk for this type of stroke by treating any conditions you have and eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. Researchers divide hemorrhagic stroke into two types: intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). About 13% of strokes are hemorrhagic in nature.
The blood vessels in your brain can be damaged by a variety of things, including disease, high blood pressure and smoking. Hemorrhagic strokes can also be the result of an aneurysm or a defect in a blood vessel that leaks or bursts. These defects are often the result of congenital problems or are associated with certain genetic syndromes.
During a hemorrhagic stroke, a clot can form in the brain and block blood flow. The accumulated blood puts pressure on the brain, causing damage and sometimes a seizure. A hemorrhagic stroke may be followed by severe headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and a sensitivity to light. The most common symptom is a sudden, severe headache also known as a thunderclap headache.
Hemorrhagic stroke treatment is similar to ischemic stroke treatment, and includes infusion of medications and blood factors that make your body’s clotting processes work more efficiently. You may also be given surgery to relieve the pressure on your brain from accumulated blood. For example, a neurosurgeon can remove the excess blood in a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting.
In addition to medication, physical therapy is an important part of a patient’s recovery from any type of stroke. Physiotherapy can help patients regain movement in their arms and legs, as well as prevent muscle stiffness in those who have suffered permanent paralysis. It can also aid in the re-learning of basic tasks, such as speaking and swallowing.
Many people who have experienced a stroke develop long-lasting problems, such as memory loss, thinking difficulties and emotional distress. Others may need a lot of help with their daily activities, such as bathing, eating and grooming.
A person who has had a stroke is at a higher risk for recurrent strokes. This is especially true if the first stroke was an ischemic one. Recurrent strokes can lead to significant disability and even death. For this reason, you should see your doctor right away if you have new symptoms or changes in how you perform your daily activities, even if they don’t seem connected to your previous stroke.
A TIA, also called a mini-stroke, is a temporary disruption in blood flow to part of the brain. It comes and goes without causing permanent damage but it is a warning sign that you have a higher risk of having a full stroke in the days and weeks to come. Our neurosciences team treats TIA as an emergency and recommends that anyone experiencing TIA seek medical care immediately. Prompt evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and treat it, which may reduce your chance of having a second stroke.
Most TIAs are caused by a blood clot in one of the major arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the brain. These arteries can get clogged with fatty deposits, called plaques, which causes narrowing or blockage of the artery. In TIAs, the blocked artery usually opens up within minutes, and unaffected areas of the brain take over. In contrast, a stroke typically disrupts blood flow to the brain for much longer, damaging and possibly killing brain cells.
Symptoms of TIA can include weakness or numbness in one arm or leg, a drooping eye on one side of the face and trouble walking. These symptoms usually last only a few minutes but should never be ignored. Anyone who experiences these or other stroke symptoms should call 9-1-1 right away, even if the symptoms only last for a few minutes.
The good news is that TIAs are often preventable by managing risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. See your primary care provider for a regular checkup, which can catch symptomless health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes sooner.
TIAs can happen for unpredictable reasons, so it is important to understand your risk factors for having another stroke. If you have a history of previous strokes or family history of them, talk to your doctor about getting regular yearly screenings for a heart condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO), which can allow blood clots to travel from the heart to the brain. If you have PFO, your provider can prescribe medication or use an implanted device to close the hole.
This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot (embolus) travels from somewhere else in the body to the brain and blocks a blood vessel. This clot can result from heart disease, atrial fibrillation or other disorders that affect the circulation in the upper chest and neck area. It may also occur in people who have a hole in the heart (patent foramen ovale).
This condition is usually diagnosed through CT or MRI scanning, though the symptoms may develop slowly and fluctuate. They can include numbness, slurred speech, difficulty moving the arms or legs and balance problems. These signs are often accompanied by headache, dizziness or blurred vision. It is important to seek medical care immediately if you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as prompt treatment can greatly improve your recovery and outcome.
Embolic strokes are usually caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain, interrupting the flow of blood and damaging brain cells. These clots can be made up of air bubbles, fat globules or plaque from the wall of an artery. They usually develop in the arteries of the upper chest and neck, but they can be found anywhere in the body. Afib, a common abnormal heart rhythm, is the cause of about 15% of embolic strokes.
Cardioembolic strokes account for 25% of all ischaemic strokes and are the most treatable. The underlying causes are well established, and the patient’s blood coagulation status is typically well-controlled with anticoagulation therapy.
The most effective prevention measures for both types of stroke are a healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking. High cholesterol and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can increase your risk of a stroke, but many of these conditions can be treated with medication.
Once the acute phase of a stroke is past, treatments focus on regaining strength and function in affected areas of the brain. Your doctor can prescribe medications and recommend rehabilitation services, depending on the type of stroke you had. It is normal to experience some limitations, but many people can return to their previous level of function within six months and go on to lead active lives.