Stroke is a brain injury. It occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted. Without oxygen and nutrients from blood, brain tissue dies quickly (less than 10 minutes). This causes a sudden function loss.
Causes
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked (called ischemic stroke). This is caused by one of the following:
Sudden decreased blood flow
Damage to a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain can occur suddenly from either:
- Injury
- A clot that forms and breaks off from another part of the body (such as the heart or neck)
- There are certain conditions which predispose people to form blood clots, such as:
- Cancer
- Pregnancy
- Atrial fibrillation
- Certain autoimmune diseases
Local blood clot
A build-up of fatty substances (atherosclerotic plaque) along the inner lining of the artery causes:
- Narrowing of artery
- Reduced elasticity
- Local inflammation
- Decreased blood flow in the artery
- Clot in an artery supplying the brain
- Inflammatory conditions in the blood vessels (vasculitis)
A stroke may also occur if a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into or around the brain. This is called hemorrhagic stroke.
Hemorrhagic vs. Ischemic Stroke
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur suddenly. They differ depending on the part of the brain affected. Multiple symptoms arise at the same time. Call emergency help right away. Brain tissue dies quickly when deprived of oxygen.
Treatment
Immediate treatment is needed to:
- Dissolve a clot causing an ischemic stroke
- Stop the bleeding during a hemorrhagic stroke
Other treatment aims to:
- Reduce the chance of later strokes
- Improve functioning
- Overcome disabilities
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of getting a stroke, take the following steps:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and limit dietary salt and fat.
- Stop smoking.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation (1-2 drinks per day).
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Frequently check blood pressure and follow doctor recommendations for keeping it in a safe range.
- Take a low dose of aspirin (75 milligrams per day) if your doctor says it is safe.
- Keep chronic medical conditions under control (such as high cholesterol and diabetes).
- Seek medical care if you have symptoms of a stroke, even if symptoms stop.
- Stop the use of recreational drugs (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, amphetamines).
For more on this Topic see TriVita Article Stroke
