Symptoms of a Stroke
The symptoms of a stroke come on suddenly and may include
- Numbness or weakness (typically on one side of the body)
- Confusion or trouble speaking/understanding speech
- Trouble seeing (one or both eyes)
- Trouble with walking
- Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache (with no known cause)
- Hemiplegia, which is complete paralysis on one side of the body, may occur
Two Types of Strokes
- An ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is when there is blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain.
- A hemorrhagic stroke is when there is bleeding into or around the brain.
Common Causes of a Stroke
Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
In addition to an artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becoming blocked, there are medical conditions that increase the risk of this kind of stroke such as atherosclerosis, carotid artery disease, or if a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks away from the wall of an artery.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Sudden bleeding in the brain can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. Examples of conditions that can lead to this include high blood pressure, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations.
Controllable Risk Factors
- Don’t smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Follow a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce and manage stress
Non-controllable Risk Factors
- Age
- Gender
- Race and ethnicity
- Family history
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)
- Previous stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Diagnosis
Your doctor’s diagnosis for a stroke would be based on reviewing signs, your symptoms, your medical history, giving you a physical exam and running some tests.
Treatment
The goal of the diagnosis is to determine which kind of stroke you’ve had (ischemic or hemorrhagic), its cause, what the outcome has been, and what treatment is needed.
Treating a Hemorrhagic Stroke
Once you receive immediate treatment, your doctor will try to treat your stroke risk factors and prevent complications by recommending lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. They include
- Follow a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce and manage stress
- Don't smoking
Treating an Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
If you have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), the doctor will try to determine its cause and help prevent a future stroke. Treatment for an ischemic stroke or TIA may include medicines and medical procedures.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctors. Always talk with your doctors about diagnosis and treatment options.