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What is a Stroke?

Stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” is the number one cause of disability in the United States. It occurs when the normal flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, having the potential to cause serious, long-lasting damage to the brain.

What Happens When a Stroke Occurs?

A stroke, or blockage of normal blood flow to the brain, occurs in one of two different ways:

• Ischemic Stroke. In an ischemic stroke, blood clots or plaques build up in the blood vessels carrying blood to the brain. When your brain doesn’t get enough blood, your brain cells begin to die rapidly. Ischemic strokes are the most common form of stroke and are the focus of this video.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke. This is also called a cerebral hemorrhage. It occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and blood spills into the brain tissue, killing brain cells. It is usually caused by high blood pressure or an aneurism. An aneurism is a weakened area of the blood vessel that balloons out and can rupture. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, but can have devastating effects.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of a stroke so you can take immediate action to prevent damage to the brain:

• A sudden numbness or weakness in one side of the body, specifically in the face, arm or leg
• Severe headache with no known cause
• Dizziness and a loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding words
• Trouble seeing our of one or both eyes

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it may be a stroke or a mini-stroke, which is also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). While a TIA is not a full stroke, it should be taken seriously. One-third of people who have a mini-stroke will go on to have a stroke.

Checking for a Stroke

The National Stroke Association recommends immediate action if you think someone is having a stroke. Here are some simple tests for assessing a stroke:

• Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms. Ask to person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred and is the sentence repeated correctly?
• • Time. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, time is critical. Call 9-1-1 or take the person to the hospital immediately.

  Risk Factors for Stroke

  While you can reduce your risk of having a stroke through lifestyle choices, there are certain uncontrollable factors that may put you at higher risk for stroke. These include:

• Age. You’re at higher risk if you are over the age of 55.
• Gender. Men have a higher risk than women.
• Ethnicity. African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Asian and South Asians are at higher risk.
• Family History. You should check to see if any of your close relatives have suffered a stroke; a family history puts you at greater risk.
• Your Medical History. If you have had a mini-stroke, or TIA, in the past, you are at higher risk for having a full stroke.Preventing Stroke

  Even if you fall into a high risk group, there are actions you can take to reduce your chances of having a stroke. These include:

• Check-ups. Have your blood pressure checked at least every year. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for stroke.
• Stress. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure, and thereby raise your risk of stroke. So, work to manage your stress.
• Diabetes. Get tested to see if you have diabetes. Diabetes accelerates blockages of your arteries and increases your risk of stroke.
• Smoking and alcohol. Stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
• Cholesterol. Know your cholesterol numbers and make sure they are controlled. High cholesterol can clog your arties and keep blood from moving to the brain.
• Weight. Being overweight increases your stroke risk.
• Birth Control. Birth control pills can increase the risk of stroke, especially for women who are over 35, smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
• Hormone therapy. Women taking hormone replacement therapy may also be at higher risk for stroke.

  Treating Stroke

  There are several different ways to treat an ischemic stroke. These include:

  Medications

  These types of medications are usually prescribed for ischemic strokes:

  • Clot-Busting Drugs. These drugs must be given within three hours of the start of a stroke in order to work.
  • Anticoagulants, or Anti-Platelet Agents. These medications, like aspirin, may be prescribed to prevent a second stroke from occurring.
    

    Surgery

    Surgery may be an option if you’ve had an ischemic stroke. Carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty are two possible surgical procedures. These procedure help to open the vessels and thereby increase blood flow to the brain.

    Rehabilitation

    After a stroke, many of your body’s functions may be affected. Rehabilitation can help restore basic abilities. Your plan may include:

    • Physical Therapy. This can help with movement, balance and coordination.
    • Occupational Therapy. This may be recommended for relearning skills like dressing and bathing.
    • Speech Therapy. This may be used for re-learning how to talk.
    • Dietician. A professional can help you make healthier food choices to prevent a second stroke.
    • Social Worker or Psychologist. These professionals may help you get back on your feet emotionally.

    Remember, reducing the damaging effects of stroke can be prevented though healthy lifestyle choices and acting fast if a stroke starts to happen.

    Stroke. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department Of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health, 2009. (Accessed October 19, 2009 athttp://www.womenshealth.gov/search/cgi-bin/query-meta.exe?input-form=simple-

    womenshealth&v%3Asources=womenshealth-bundle&v%3Aproject=womenshealth&query=stroke&search=Search.)

    What is Stroke? Centennial, CO .: National Stroke Association, 2009. (Accessed October 19, 2009 athttp://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CONT.)

    Reviewed by: Dr. Supriya Jain, Dr. Preeti Parikh and Dr. Holly Atkinson on Wednesday, August 29, 2012