Stroke
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about stroke.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or blocked, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients needed by brain cells. These brain cells begin to die within minutes, which can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or death.
There are several types, including:
1. Ischemic Stroke (reduced blood flow):
- Most strokes (87%) are ischemic strokes. These occur when the flow of oxygen-rich blood through the artery supplying the brain is blocked by fatty deposits or a blood clot (thrombus).
- 2. HemorrhagicStroke:
- A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood leaks from or ruptures one of the arteries in the brain..
- What are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
- You may experience a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-stroke, where blood flow to the brain is temporarily interrupted, typically forno longer than 5 minutes. This serves as a warning sign for future strokes and may present the following warning symptoms:.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance.
- Severe, sudden headache.
- If you suspect someone is havinga stroke, conduct the following test:
What are the CausesFASTof a Stroke?
|
F |
Face Several factors can increase the risk of stroke, including: |
High blood pressure. |
| A |
Arms Diabetes. |
Heart diseases, such as atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and other heart conditions, can lead to blood clots, causing a stroke. |
| S |
Speech High cholesterol levels. |
A personal or family history of stroke or a transient ischemic attack, which is a temporary blockage of blood supply to the brain, serves as a warning for a stroke that might occur hours, days, weeks, or months later. |
| T |
Time With age, the risk of stroke increases. |
Smoking. |
Alcohol and drug abuse.
Lack of physical activity.
Unhealthy diet.
Obesity.
How is a Stroke Diagnosed?
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will:
Take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination. Based on what is needed, they may also conduct additional procedures such as:
Laboratory tests: Blood tests to measure cholesterol levels.
Other tests and diagnostic examinations, like:
Brain scans, such as a CT scan or an MRI.
