What is a Stroke?
A stroke is also called a cerebrovascular accident. This happens when there is loss of blood to part of the brain. There are two types of strokes: hemorrhagic or ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel breaks and starts to bleed into/around brain tissue. Ischemic strokes occur when the blood vessel is blocked off, cutting off normal blood supply to the brain. Because of the decreased blood flow, the brain is not able to get the amount of oxygen and nutrients that it needs. If not corrected quickly, brain damage, long term disability, or even death can occur.
Risks associated with strokes can include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Smoking
- Family history
- Age – risk increases as you get older
- Sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of a stroke include:
- Loss of balance
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Drooping of one side of the face
- Arm or leg weakness
- Difficulty with speech
Strokes are diagnosed by physical examination as well as diagnostic tests including CT, MRI, and/or heart specific tests.
How is a Stroke Treated?
Treatment options for a stroke depend on the type. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment focuses on finding and stopping the source of bleeding. Sometimes this involves aneurysm repair or arteriovenous malformation (AVM) removal. Ischemic stroke treatment typically involves medications to improve blood flow. There are medications that can be used to dissolve a blood clot, stop platelets from sticking together to create blood clots, or thin the blood to prevent the clot that is already formed from growing. Depending on the lasting effects after a stroke, patients may need to utilize physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy to improve their quality of life.