Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.CommonMore than 1 million cases per year (India)Requires a medical diagnosisLab tests or imaging always requiredTreatment can help, but this condition can't be curedA stroke is a medical emergency.Symptoms of stroke include trouble walking, speaking and understanding,as well as paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg.Early treatment with medication like tPA (clot buster) can minimise braindamage. Other treatments focus on limiting complications and preventingadditional strokes.Ages affected0-23-56-1314-1819-4041-6060+StrokeAlso called: CVA, cerebrovascular accidentSymptomsRequires a medical diagnosisSymptoms of stroke include trouble walking, speaking and understanding,as well as paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. People may experience:Muscular: paralysis with weak muscles, problems with coordination, stiffmuscles, weakness of one side of the body, overactive reflexes, orparalysis of one side of the bodyWhole body: balance disorder, fatigue, light-headedness, or vertigoVisual: blurred vision, double vision, sudden visual loss, or temporaryloss of vision in one eyeSpeech: difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or speech lossSensory: pins and needles or reduced sensation of touchFacial: muscle weakness or numbnessLimbs: numbness or weaknessAlso common: difficulty swallowing, headache, inability to understand,limping, mental confusion, or rapid involuntary eye movementCritical: consult a doctor for medical adviceNote: The information you see describes what usually happens with a medical condition, butdoesn't apply to everyone. This information isn't medical advice, so make sure that youcontact a health care provider if you have a medical problem. If you think you may have amedical emergency, call your doctor or a emergency number immediately.Sources: Apollo Hospitals and others.
What is stroke?A stroke is a "brain attack". It can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.Stroke By The NumbersEach year nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.A stroke happens every 40 seconds.Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.Every 4 minutes someone dies from stroke.Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.HEMORRHAGIC STROKEA brain aneurysm burst or a weakened blood vessel leak (hemorrhagic) is one of two types of stroke. While the least common of the two types of stroke it most often results in death.
Hemorrhagic strokeThere are two types of stroke, hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, in fact only 15 percent of all strokes are hemorrhagic, but they are responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths.A hemorrhagic stroke is either a brain aneurysm burst or a weakened blood vessel leak. Blood spills into or around the brain and creates swelling and pressure, damaging cells and tissue in the brain. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke called intracerebal and subarachnoid.EXPAND ALLINTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGEThe most common hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts and leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue (intracerebal hemorrhage). The bleeding causes brain cells to die and the affected part of the brain stops working correctly. High blood pressure and aging blood vessels are the most common causes of this type of stroke.Sometimes intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM is a genetic condition of abnormal connection between arteries and veins and most often occurs in the brain or spine. If AVM occurs in the brain, vessels can break and bleed into the brain. The cause of AVM is unclear but once diagnosed it can be treated successfully.SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGEThis type of stroke involves bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissue covering the brain, known as the subarachnoid space. This type of stroke is most often caused by a burst aneurysm. Other causes include:AVMBleeding disordersHead injuryBlood thinners.
Ischemic strokeIschemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This causes blood not to reach the brain. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for this type of stroke. Ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke can occur in two ways.CLOSE ALLEMBOLIC STROKEIn an embolic stroke, a blood clot or plaque fragment forms somewhere in the body (usually the heart) and travels to the brain. Once in the brain, the clot travels to a blood vessel small enough to block its passage. The clot lodges there, blocking the blood vessel and causing a stroke. About 15% of embolic strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation (Afib). The medical word for this type of blood clot is embolus.THROMBOTIC STROKEA thrombotic stroke is caused by a blood clot that forms inside one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. This type of stroke is usually seen in people with high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. The medical word for a clot that forms on a blood-vessel deposit is thrombus.Two types of blood clots can cause thrombotic stroke: large vessel thrombosis and small vessel disease. Large Vessel ThrombosisThe most common form of thrombotic stroke (large vessel thrombosis) occurs in the brain’s larger arteries. In most cases it is caused by long-term atherosclerosis in combination with rapid blood clot formation. High cholesterol is a common risk factor for this type of stroke.Small Vessel DiseaseAnother form of thrombotic stroke happens when blood flow is blocked to a very small arterial vessel (small vessel disease or lacunar infarction). Little is known about the causes of this type of stroke, but it is closely linked to high blood pressure.
What is TIA?When blood flow to part of the brain stops for a short period of time, also called transient ischemic attack (TIA), it can mimic stroke-like symptoms. These symptoms appear and last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored.CLOSE ALLTIA BY THE NUMBERSTIAs are usually caused by one of three things:Low blood flow at a narrow part of a major artery carrying blood to the brain, such as the carotid artery.A blood clot in another part of the body (such as the heart) breaks off, travels to the brain, and blocks a blood vessel in the brain.Narrowing of the smaller blood vessel in the brain, blocking blood flow for a short period of time; usually caused by plaque (a fatty substance) build-up.Some important facts to keep in mind include:40 percent of people who have a TIA will have an actual strokeNearly half of all strokes occur within the first few days after a TIASymptoms for TIA are the same as for a strokeTIA RISK CALCULATORHave you had stroke-like symptoms that only lasted temporarily? TIA risk calculator was created to help you understand your risk for stroke or TIAs. Answer the questions and see how you compared to others who have answered the same questions.TAKE THE TESTTIA MANAGEMENTThe goal of TIA management is to prevent a future stroke. The medicine and therapy used depends on the exact cause of the TIA. In addition to lifestyle changes such as diet, physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking, your healthcare provider may recommend medications to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. These changes may reduce your risk of further TIA or stroke.There are many medications that help prevent blood clots from forming—reducing the risk of full-blown stroke.If a TIA is caused by blockage in the main artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain, called the carotid artery, surgeries may be required to open the artery, and prevent a stroke. These procedures are known as endarterectomy and stenting.Talk to a healthcare provider about the best stroke prevention options for you. Then take responsibility and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The lifestyle adjustments such as eating healthy foods and quitting smoking—made today may reduce the risk of stroke tomorrow.
Stroke factsAlthough stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability, many myths surround this disease. Test how much you know about stroke todayMYTHFACTMYTH: Stroke cannot be prevented.FACT: Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable.MYTH: There is no treatment for stroke.FACT: At any sign of stroke call 9-1-1- immediately. Treatment may be available.MYTH: Stroke only affects the elderly.FACT: Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.MYTH: Stroke happens in the heart.FACT: Stroke is a "brain attack".MYTH: Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.FACT: Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.MYTH: Strokes are rare.FACT: There are nearly 7 million stroke survivors in the U.S. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.MYTH: Strokes are not hereditary.FACT: Family history of stroke increases your chance for stroke. MYTH: If stroke symptoms go away, you don’t have to see a doctor.FACT: Temporary stroke symptoms are called transient ischemic attacks (TIA). They are warning signs prior to actual stroke and need to be taken seriously.