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 Thousands
of people in the United States are debilitated each year by the effects
of stroke (also known as a "brain attack"), and millions may
be at risk. Recognition of the warning signs of stroke is paramount, and
preventing them from occurring could save thousands of lives. Stroke is
the third most common cause of death in America.
What
causes a stroke?
A stroke (also known as a CVA or cerebrovascular accident) can occur when
there is an interruption of blood supply to the brain, leading to permanent
brain damage.
There are different types of strokes, including:
- A thrombotic
stroke, in which a blood clot forms in a cerebral artery blocking the
flow of blood into the brain.
- An embolic
stroke, where plaque or another type of blood clot forms from another
part of the body and obstructs brain blood flow.
- A hemorrhagic
stroke, in which there is a defect in a cerebral blood vessel, such
as an aneurysm, causing the artery to burst and damage of the brain
to occur.
What
are the symptoms?
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What
is a TIA?
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TIA,
also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack or "mini-stroke",
is when blood supply to the brain is temporarily obstructed but
does not cause permanent damage. Symptoms are similar to a stroke,
but generally last for a few minutes up to twenty-four hours. Experiencing
TIAs suggests you may be at strong risk for a stroke.
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According
to the American Medical Association, these are the warning signs of a
brain attack (stroke):
- Loss of
speech, or difficulty in interpreting speech
- Immediate
weakness of the side of the face, arm, and leg
- Sudden
unilateral loss of vision
- Intense
headaches with no apparent cause
- Loss of
consciousness
- Loss of
bowel or bladder function
What
are the risk factors?
Risk factors
include:
- Cigarette
Smoking
- Obesity
- Hypertension
(high blood pressure)
- Atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arterial wall)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
How
is it diagnosed?
A doctor usually
relies on a good history and physical, assessing risk factors, and a variety
of diagnostic tests to diagnose a stroke. Most people suffering an immediate
stroke are brought to the emergency room, where the physician may order
a computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the brain to determine if a brain
hemorrhage has occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also identify
damaged areas of the brain. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can identify
blood vessels of the brain where there is rupture or narrowing.
How
is it treated?
The extent
of treatment is often dependent on the severity and time frame of the
stroke. Many facilities are now instituting clot-dissolving drugs such
as t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) for specifically selected patients
where ischemic stroke symptoms are seen within three hours. A surgical
procedure (operation) known as an endarterectomy may be performed to remove
plaque within the arterial walls to improve brain blood flow circulation.
Medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) may be prescribed
to help prevent future strokes from occurring.
What
can be done to prevent a stroke?
- If you
smoke, quit!
- Exercise
on a regular basis.
- Maintain
a healthy, low fat diet.
- Make sure
to get annual checkups from your doctor.
- Cut back
on alcohol consumption.
Reference: National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke National Institutes of Health
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