A stroke is an abrupt or sudden interruption affecting the arteries leading to and within the brain. When a stroke occurs, the blood supply to a part of the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures, which deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, and causes brain cells to die. Strokes are a type of cardiovascular disease.
There are many clues and symptoms of stroke to look out for. If the following signs occur, seek immediate medical health and note when the symptoms started:
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most important known risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls and over time, this may lead to a stroke.
A stroke can occur in two main ways. It can either be caused by a blocked artery or the bursting of a blood vessel.
There are three different types of strokes including:
Approximately four out of five strokes are ischaemic. This occurs when the arteries to the brain become narrowed or blocked, severely reducing blood flow to the brain. The two common ischaemic strokes are:
Around one in every five strokes is haemorrhagic. A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain. The two common types of haemorrhagic stroke include:
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or “mini stroke” has the same symptoms as a stroke but these disappear within 24 hours. The causes are similar to that of a stroke and a TIA should be regarded as a warning sign, as approximately one in five people who have a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months.
To determine the possible type of stroke, and the area of the brain most affected, doctors may need to run the following diagnostic tests:
Treatment will depend on the type of stroke experienced
To treat an ischaemic stroke, doctors need to restore blood flow to the brain quickly. Doctors may do this through:
Treatment of a haemorrhagic stroke focuses on controlling the bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. Doctors may need to do the following:
Every patient’s recovery differs and depends on the condition. Treatment may include:
A stroke can happen to anyone. Certain unchangeable factors like age, gender and family history can lead to an increased risk of stroke, however lifestyle modifications can prevent the likelihood of stroke from occurring. These include:
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