Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention

Definition

Stroke is a brain injury. It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Without oxygen and nutrients from blood, brain tissue dies in less than 10 minutes. The tissue death causes a sudden loss in function.

Causes

A stroke occurs when there is a loss of blood flow. It may happen because of a blockage in blood flow, called ischemic stroke, or because of bleeding in the brain, called hemorrhagic stroke.

A sudden decrease in the flow of blood may be caused by:

  • A clot that breaks off from another part of the body (such as the heart or neck) and lodges in blood vessel of neck or brain—there are certain conditions which predispose people to form blood clots, such as:
  • A blood clot that forms in neck or brain
  • Atherosclerosis —a build-up of fatty substances along the inner lining of the artery that gradually decrease the area the blood can flow through
  • Inflammatory conditions in the blood vessels (vasculitis)

Hemorrhagic stroke occur when blood vessels break and bleed into or around the brain. This can happen after an injury.

Hemorrhagic vs. Ischemic Stroke

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Risk Factors

The following factors can increase your risk of stroke but the risk can be modified with lifestyle changes and proper medical care:

Other factors that can increase your risk of stroke but can not be modified include:

  • Prior stroke or pre-existing cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack
  • Prior transient ischemic attack (TIA) —some people have this a "warning stroke" with symptoms that resolve in short period of time
  • Age: 60 or older
  • Family members who have had a stroke
  • Gender: males are at greater risk
  • Race: Black, Asian, Hispanic
  • Blood disorders which increase clotting in sickle cell disease and polycythemia
  • Valvular heart disease, such as mitral stenosis

Symptoms

Symptoms occur suddenly. They differ depending on the part of the brain affected. Also, multiple symptoms can happen at the same time. If you notice any of the symptoms below, call emergency help right away. Getting help immediately is important, because brain tissue dies quickly when deprived of oxygen.

  • Sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion
  • Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance, or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Diagnosis

Having a stroke is an emergency. Tests may include:

  • Neurological exams
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) —a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
  • Brain and blood vessel imaging by:
    • Computed tomography (CT) scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the brain, helps doctors identify hemorrhagic versus ischemic stroke
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the brain
    • Ultrasonography—a test that uses sound waves to examine the blood vessels feeding the brain
  • Blood tests, including cholesterol, homocysteine, prothrombin time , and other coagulation tests

Other tests may include:

  • Arteriography (angiography)—a catheter is placed in a blood vessel in the groin and threaded up to the brain, shows arteries in the brain
  • Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) —shows brain blood vessels by mapping blood flow
  • CT angiogram (CTA)—this test uses a CT scanner, gives images of the blood vessels inside the brain after a dye is injected into the veins
  • Functional MRI—shows brain activity by picking up signals from oxygenated blood
  • Doppler ultrasound —shows narrowing of the arteries (carotid and vertebral) supplying the brain, evaluates flow of blood in brain
  • Echocardiography —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart, shows if the clot comes from one of the heart's chambers

Treatment

Immediate treatment is needed to :

  • Dissolve a clot causing an ischemic stroke
  • Stop the bleeding during a hemorrhagic stroke

Treatment after immediate care will aim to:

  • Reduce the chance of later strokes
  • Improve functioning
  • Overcome disabilities

Supportive care may also include:

Medications

Medications may include:

  • Clot-dissolving drugs—if a clot is causing the problem
    • Given shortly after the start of symptoms—typically given within 4½ hours by IV, or intra-arterially (IA) within six hours
    • Used in carefully selected patients
  • Antiplatelet drugs—decreases the body's ability to make clots
    • Aspirin
    • Clopidogrel (Plavix) and dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox)
  • Blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)
    • Heparin , given by vein
    • Oral medicine (eg, warfarin ), given if long-term treatment with blood-thinner is expected
    • Lovenox or other related medicines, given subcutaneously (under skin)

Other drugs may be given to help:

  • Control blood pressure ( labetalol , the first-line drug, or sodium nitroprusside)—although blood pressure is allowed to run high initially (called permissive hypertension)
  • Reduce chance of additional clot formation (aspirin or similar medicines)
  • Reduce brain swelling
  • Correct irregular heart rhythm (eg, atrial fibrillation)

Surgery

A surgery may be done to prevent damage or allow blood flow back into the affected area. Surgical options after a stroke include:

  • Extracranial/intracranial bypass—blood supply is rerouted around a blocked artery using a healthy scalp artery
  • Craniotomy—done to relieve pressure build-up in the brain caused by swelling
  • Embolectomy—a catheter is threaded through blood vessels to the clot; a special device will either mechanically remove the clot or deliver clot-dissolving medicine directly to the area

Other surgeries may be performed following a stroke or TIA to prevent a recurrence. These surgical options include:

  • Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) —fatty deposits are removed from a carotid artery (major arteries in the neck that lead to the brain)
  • Carotid angioplasty and stenting —less invasive procedure, carotid artery is widened and a mesh tube is placed into the artery to keep it open

Even though endarterectomy is more invasive, it may be preferred over angioplasty for some patients. Angioplasty may be an option for patients who are have a high risk of complications from CEA.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be an important part of your recovery. Rehabilitation may include:

  • Physical therapy—to regain as much movement as possible
  • Occupational therapy—to assist in everyday tasks and self care
  • Speech therapy—to improve swallowing and speech challenges
  • Psychological therapy—to improve mood and decrease depression

Prevention

Lifestyle changes that can help reduce your chance of getting a stroke include:

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit dietary salt and fat.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Increase your consumption of fish.
  • Drink alcohol only in moderation (1-2 drinks per day).
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Check blood pressure frequently . Follow your doctor's recommendations for keeping it in a safe range.
  • Take a low dose of aspirin (50-325 milligrams per day) if your doctor says it is safe.
  • Keep chronic medical conditions under control. This includes high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Talk to your doctor about the use of a statins. These types of drugs may help prevent certain kinds of strokes in some people.
  • Seek medical care if you have symptoms of a stroke, even if symptoms stop.
  • Stop the use of recreational drugs (eg, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, amphetamines).