Stroke

What is Stroke?

A stroke is also referred to as a 'Transient Ischemic Attack' or 'Cerebrovascular Accident.' It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. The blockage also cuts off oxygen and the nutrient supply from blood to the brain, forcing healthy brain cells to die within minutes. Death of brain cells leads to sudden bleeding in the brain and a stroke.

A stroke should not be taken lightly. It is a medical emergency. The condition leads to permanent brain damage, disability, or even death.

Stages and Types of Stroke

A stroke can be classified into five major categories. All of these are medical emergencies that cut off or interrupt blood flow to the brain.

• Ischemic Stroke: The condition is characterized by a blockage of blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the brain. The blockage is caused due to a blood clot. This is the most common type of Stroke. Ischemic Stroke can be categorized into two types:
• Thrombotic Strokes: Also referred to as an atherosclerotic stroke, the condition is caused by a formation of blood in brain arteries responsible for supplying blood to your brain.
• Embolic Strokes: A blood clot that occurs in the body (not the brain) and then travels through the blood vessels to the brain. This clot gets stuck in the brain and cuts off or interrupts the blood flow.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: The condition results from cellular damage near the brain due to bleeding in the brain. The symptoms generally increase gradually over minutes or a few hours.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (Mini-Stroke): It is also a type of Ischemic Stroke resulting from a temporary blockage in blood flow to the brain. The symptoms of this attack last for just a few minutes. It may go away in 24 hours.
• Brain Stem Stroke: This Stroke occurs in the brain stem and affects both sides of the body. A brain stem stroke leaves an individual in a "locked in" state where one cannot speak or move below the neck.
• Cryptogenic Stroke (Stroke of Unknown Cause): The Stroke occurs due to unknown and undiagnosed causes even after a thorough diagnostic evaluation.

Symptoms of Stroke

Learning to identify the symptoms of a stroke can save someone's life. Act immediately if you or someone you know shows symptoms of a stroke. Most treatment options work if given as soon as or just after a stroke begins. Here are the signs and symptoms of a stroke you should look for:

• Trouble speaking: he patient may have trouble speaking even a simple sentence and understanding what others say. Confusion and slurring words are also common signs.
• Paralysis: Another prominent stroke symptom is paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg. The numbness or paralytic attack is sudden. The patient may complain of feeling weakness in their arm and leg. The attack is mainly on just one side of the body. Ask the patient to raise both arms overhead at the same time. If one of the arms begins to fall, it can be a stroke. You may also notice one side of the mouth drooping when the patient tries to smile.
• Blurred Vision: The patient may suffer from blurred or blackened vision. This may be in either one or both eyes. Some individuals may also complain of seeing double.
• Headache: The patient may suffer from a sudden, severe headache. The pain may also lead to other symptoms, such as dizziness, vomiting, or altered consciousness.
• Difficulty Walking: The patient may stumble or lose their balance. Sudden dizziness or a loss of coordination is also a major sign of a stroke.

Risk Factors of Stroke

Anyone can get a stroke at any age. However, certain risk factors make an individual more vulnerable to a stroke:

• High Blood Pressure: Arteries (blood vessels) responsible for supplying blood to the brain can be damaged by blood pressure 140/90 or higher.
• Heart Disease: Conditions of the heart are known to be the second most important risk factor for Stroke.
• Diabetes: Diabetics are at a greater risk for a stroke than non-diabetics.
• Smoking: Tobacco use can double one's risk of getting an ischemic stroke.
• Birth Control Pills: Oral contraceptives may also increase the risk of getting a stroke.
• History of TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks): Also referred to as mini-strokes, TIAs can make one almost ten times more likely to have a stroke.
• High Red Blood Cell Count, Blood Cholesterol, and Lipids: Higher red blood cell count tends to thicken the blood and increase the chances of clots making one more prone to a stroke. Abnormally high cholesterol levels can lead to the thickening or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), resulting in decreased blood flow to the brain. A stroke is usually a result of a cut-off of blood supply to the brain.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity is not suitable for cardiovascular health. It can result in a stroke.
• Excess Body Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the chances of getting a stroke.
• Excessive Alcohol Intake: Having more than two drinks per day can raise blood pressure leading to a stroke. Binge drinking can also lead to a stroke.
• Illegal Drugs: Most people are unaware that IV (intravenous) drug abuse increases the risk of Stroke due to blood clots (cerebral embolisms). Other drugs, such as cocaine, can also increase the chances of getting a stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular conditions.
• Abnormal Heart Rhythm: Atrial Fibrillation, a heart condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat, can increase one's risk of getting a stroke.
• Abnormalities of Cardiac Structure: A valvular heart disease that damages heart valves can lead to chronic heart damage, increasing one's risk for Stroke.
• Age: Individuals over the age of 55 are more prone to having a stroke.
• Race: African Americans are known to have a higher risk of dying from a stroke than whites  due to their higher vulnerability to developing high blood pressure.
• Gender: Stroke is more common among men than women. However, more women die from strokes than men.
• Medical History: If you had a stroke in the past, you are more prone to having another stroke.
• Heredity and Genetics: Individuals with family members having a history of Stroke are more prone to getting a stroke.
• Geographic Factors: Reports have revealed that strokes are more common among individuals residing in the southeastern US due to regional differences in race, lifestyle, diet, and smoking habits.
• Temperature, Season, and Climate: Deaths due to Stroke occur mainly during extreme temperatures.
• Social and Economic Factors: Certain studies have demonstrated that strokes are more common among low-income people.

Causes of Stroke

The two following reasons can cause a stroke:

• A Blocked Artery (Ischemic Stroke)
• Leaking or Bursting of a Blood Vessel (Hemorrhagic Stroke)

Some individuals may suffer from a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain. This condition is referred to as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The condition does not cause lasting symptoms.

Prevention of Stroke

Stroke prevention strategies are aimed at following a healthy lifestyle. These include:

• Controlling High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
• Reducing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in a daily diet
• Quitting tobacco use
• Managing diabetes under the guidance of a physician
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to a daily diet (five or more daily servings of fruits or vegetables)
• Staying active (at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity such as walking, jogging, swimming, or bicycling five days a week)
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Getting treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Avoiding illegal drugs
• Taking preventive medications such as anti-platelet drugs, anticoagulants, and slower-acting warfarin (Jantoven) under the guidance of a medical professional

Frequently Asked Questions

• Diagnosis and Treatment