Strokes
- Vesna
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 1
What is a stroke?
A stroke, medically known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When this happens, the affected part of the brain is deprived of oxygen, causing brain cells to die. Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, the effects can range from mild to life-threatening, and in some cases, they may lead to permanent disabilities.
There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain, making it the most common type. A hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, happens when a weakened blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in or around the brain. There is also a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” which is a temporary blockage that doesn’t cause permanent damage but serves as a warning sign of a future stroke.
What are some symptoms?
Spotting a stroke can make a big difference in how well someone recovers. Quick medical help plays a key role. The FAST method helps people spot a stroke:
Face drooping – One side of the face might sag or feel numb.
Arm weakness – The person might find it hard to lift or control one arm.
Speech difficulties – Words might sound slurred, jumbled, or not come out at all.
Time to call emergency services – Getting help right away is vital.
Besides these common signs other symptoms can pop up. These include losing balance, having trouble walking, feeling dizzy, getting bad headaches, and sudden eyesight issues like fuzzy or double vision. Some people might also feel numb , or weak in their arms or legs often on just one side of their body.
Can it be treated?
Before doctors can start treatment, they need to figure out if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. The first thing they do to check this is a CT scan. This helps them know what kind of stroke it is. Knowing this matters because the main treatment for strokes, tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) works for ischemic strokes.
If someone has a hemorrhagic stroke, doctors can't use tPA at all. It could make the bleeding worse. Instead, they might give medicines like oral glycerol and mannitol to help reduce swelling in the brain.
For ischemic strokes, doctors have to give tPA within 4.5 hours after symptoms start to get the best results. The sooner they give it, the better chance it has to get blood flowing again and limit brain damage. Sometimes, if a big artery is blocked, doctors might do a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy to take out the clot.
What about strokes related to heart conditions?
Certain heart conditions, like atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), have an impact on stroke risk by increasing the chance of blood clots. Doctors often prescribe blood thinners to these patients to prevent future strokes. Also, people at risk of a heart attack (STEMI - ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) should know about the golden time to use tPA in STEMI, which is 30 minutes, with a maximum treatment window of 12 hours. If a patient needs angioplasty with stent placement (PCI), doctors should do this within 90 minutes to restore blood flow to the heart.
People with a history of heart issues can benefit from carrying sublingual nitroglycerin. This small tablet melts under the tongue and helps to prevent or relieve chest pain (angina), which can signal a heart attack.
Are there any complications?
Effects of a stroke in many people, even treated, result in chronic complications. Some may fully recover from stroke attacks, whereas others might have complications like brain swelling, pneumonia, seizures, chronic pain, and other cardiac complications.
Pneumonia, mostly due to swallowing problems, may lead to the entrance of food or liquids to the lungs.
Rehabilitation will be important in stroke recovery. Depending on its severity, most patients will also need to engage in physical therapy exercises, speech therapy, or occupational therapy to regain lost bodily functions and improve their quality of life. Lifestyle changes will also help as important preventive measures. Modifying blood-pressure levels, eating a balanced diet, regular exercises, and quitting smoking are ways through which future episodes of stroke can be managed effectively.
Sources:
Excellent presentation👏 about stroke...
Well written and informational, Vesna !! Looking forward for more articles.
Nice one...well done and keep going