Stroke

The causes, symptoms and treatment of strokes

Stroke can be described as a loss of brain function due to a blockage in blood flow to the brain, or, as one simple word – frightening.

Not only is stroke the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S., it is also the number two cause of death worldwide. A stroke is a medical emergency that no one wants to experience, so learning about stroke and stroke prevention is key to maintaining neurological health as we age.

Stroke Types

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and transient ischemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini-stroke. Approximately 80 percent of strokes are ischemic, which are caused by an impasse of blood to the brain due to a blood clot. Ischemic strokes can be further classified as either thrombotic or embolic. Thrombotic strokes are caused by a blood clot in a direct artery to the brain, and embolic strokes are caused by a blood clot elsewhere in the body that travels to the brain.

TIA or mini strokes are caused by a temporary blockage to the brain. The symptoms are similar to an ischemic stroke, except that they go away within minutes or hours. It is possible for people to have a TIA without even realizing it. Mini-strokes are an important warning sign of the possibility of having a true stroke.

Stroke Symptoms

There are five warning signs that signal a stroke, if you have one or more of these symptoms you should call 911 immediately. Early treatment reduces the risk of long-term neurological damage. Signs of a stroke include:

• Sudden weakness: A numbness or loss of strength in the face, arm or leg.
• Difficulty speaking: Momentary confusion or comprehension problems.
• Vision problems: Any sudden vision problems, momentary or otherwise.
• Headache: Sudden acute or extraordinary headache pain.
• Dizziness: Loss of balance, especially in combination with the other symptoms.

Stroke Treatment

If a patient experiencing a stroke arrives at the hospital within three hours of the attack, t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) may be administered. This treatment can have significant results with some patients experiencing a complete recovery from localized weakness or the inability to speak. Other forms of treatment include surgery to remove blood clots, repair blood vessels or to remove plaque from the carotid artery.

Non-surgical treatments include the prescription of antiplatelets (such as aspirin) or anticoagulants to thin the blood and reduce the presence of existing or future blood clots.

Stroke Risk Factors

The following increases the risk of having a stroke:

• Age (most strokes occur after age 65)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Previous stroke
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption
• Abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia)

Stroke Prevention

There are some risk factors (like age) that cannot be denied, so the best way to prevent a stroke is to make changes to your lifestyle. By exercising regularly, quitting smoking and reducing your daily fat intake by 20 to 35 percent, you can significantly reduce the risks of a stroke.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean running marathons or pumping iron; even 30 minutes of daily activity such as walking, gardening or even playing with the grandchildren counts. Adopting an active lifestyle also increases your quality of life, which is reward enough on its own.