NY Neurology Associates opine that knowing stroke symptoms and their likelihood of occurring is crucial in stroke prevention. Stroke is an urgent issue that requires immediate medical attention to help save your life or enhance your chances of recovery from an episode. Failure to get immediate professional attention, a stroke may lead to death or cause permanent brain damage.
Types of stroke
A stroke occurs in two forms, ischemic or hemorrhagic. You are likely to have an ischemic stroke when blood clots form in your brain’s blood vessels, the blood vessels transporting blood to your brain or in other blood vessels anywhere in your body then move to your brain, thus blocking blood flow to your brain’s cells. The type of stroke may also happen when plaque build-up clogs your brain’s blood vessels.
Unlike clogging in ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of your brain’s blood vessels ruptures, causing blood to seep into your brain tissue, thus damaging the cells. The primary causes of hemorrhagic stroke include:
· Brain aneurysm
· High blood pressure that is uncontrollable
· Trauma
· Overexposure to blood thinners
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is another form of a stroke likely to occur. Though you may have similar symptoms to the two primary types, the signs are usually temporary and might not result in permanent damage. Like an ischemic stroke, TIA results from a temporary shortage of blood and nutrient supply to parts of your brain caused by blood clots narrowing your vessels.
What are your risk factors?
Though ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have unique sets of potential causes, a stroke will most likely affect you if you are:
· Overweight
· Have a history of the condition
· Diabetic
· Have high blood pressure
· Have a vascular condition
· Above 55 years of age
· Consume excessive alcohol
· Smoke or use illicit drugs
What are the symptoms you are likely to have with stroke?
A stroke can result in long-term health problems. You are also at risk of developing temporary or permanent disabilities after an attack. The primary signs you might experience to indicate the onset of stroke include:
· Numbness is likely to affect either side of your body
· A sudden chronic headache, possibly with nausea and altered consciousness
· Vision problems either in one or both eyes
· Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
· Speech difficulty and concentration problems
However, your symptoms will vary, depending on the type of stroke and its severity.
What diagnosis are you likely to have with a stroke?
Though stroke symptoms are particular, your doctor may rule it out for another condition. The possible tests the medical professional may recommend determining whether you had a stroke include:
· Blood tests to determine your sugar levels, how fast your blood is likely to clot, check for infections and platelet levels
· MRI and CT scans to check out for cell damage and possible bleeding
· Electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess your heart activity
· Echocardiogram to check for clots in your heart
· Cerebral angiogram to assess the vessels in your brain and neck for clots
· Carotid ultrasound to check out for plaque build-up in the carotid arteries
Your brain cells are likely to instantly die when they do not receive sufficient blood and nutrients. Do not let your stroke risk factors cause severe health complications when your doctor can help you manage the conditions.
