Stroke
What is Stroke ?
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes. Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding in the brain. The blood increases pressure on brain cells and damages them.
A stroke is a medical emergency. It’s crucial to get medical treatment right away. Getting emergency medical help quickly can reduce brain damage and other stroke complications. The good news is that fewer Americans die of stroke now than in the past. Effective treatments also can help prevent disability from stroke.
Symptoms
- Trouble speaking or a complete loss of speech
- Blurry vision or double vision
- Confusion or agitation
- Coma
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Headaches
- Loss of muscle control on one side of your face
- Loss of coordination or clumsiness
- Memory loss
- Mood swings or sudden personality changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck stiffness
Cause
There are two types of strokes. Ischemic strokes usually happen because a blood clot blocks a blood vessel connected to your brain. Issues that can cause these kinds of clots include Atherosclerosis (hardened arteries). Atrial fibrillation (especially when sleep apnea causes it). Clotting disorders. Heart defects (including atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect). Microvascular ischemic disease. Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel in your brain breaks or tears (ruptures). Causes can include Brain aneurysms. Brain tumors. High blood pressure (especially if it’s very high or you have it for a long time). Moyamoya disease (and any other condition that weakens blood vessels in your brain).
Risk Factors
Many factors can increase the risk of stroke. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include being overweight or obese. Physical inactivity. Heavy or binge drinking. Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. High blood pressure. Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure. High cholesterol. Diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea. Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation. Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack. COVID-19 infection. People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than do younger people. African American and Hispanic people have a higher risk of stroke than do people of other races or ethnicities. Men have a higher risk of stroke than do women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they’re more likely to die of strokes than are men. Taking birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen can increase risk.
When to see a Doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go or they disappear completely.