Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Stroke

Answered: Who is more likely to have an ischemic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:41:12 +0000

You're more likely to have an ischemic stroke if you:

Are over age 60
Have high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes
Have atrial fibrillation
Smoke
Have a family history of strokes

Answered: What can cause complications of a hemorrhagic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:39:19 +0000

A hemorrhagic stroke can cause complications like:

Seizures.
Memory and thinking problems.
Heart problems.
Swallowing problems and trouble eating and drinking.
Permanent neurologic disability

Answered: What are complications of an ischemic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:38:08 +0000

Sometimes ischemic strokes can cause complications. A stroke damages your brain cells. The more damage that's done, the more problems you can have. That's why it's important to get medical help as soon as possible because there is a limited time for treating an acute stroke. If you don't get treatment, you can have trouble like:

Ischemic strokes also include something called a ""mini stroke"" or a TIA (transient ischemic attack). This is a temporary blockage in blood flow to your brain. The symptoms usually last for just a few minutes or may go away in 24 hours.

TIAs can happen because the vessels that bring blood to your brain narrow. They also might occur because of a clot.

Fluid buildup, swelling, and bleeding in your brain
Seizures
Problems with memory and understanding

Answered: How do you get an ischemic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:36:13 +0000

Most strokes are ischemic. You get them when a fatty substance called plaque collects in your arteries and narrows them. This is called atherosclerosis, and it slows the flow of blood. As it pools, blood can clump and form clots -- and your artery gets blocked.

Besides atherosclerosis, some other things that can raise your chances of getting an ischemic stroke are:

Atrial fibrillation
Heart attack
Problem with your heart's valves
Injury to blood vessels in your neck
Blood clotting problem

Answered: What things can raise your chances of getting a transient ischemic attack relative to strokes?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:34:59 +0000

Things that can raise your chances of getting a transient ischemic attack are the same as those for other strokes, including:

A TIA can sometimes be a warning sign that you'll have an ischemic stroke soon.

Don't take any chances if you or someone you know has any symptoms that seem like a stroke. Get medical help in a hurry.

Age
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease
Obesity
Smoking
Family history of strokes
Atrial fibrillation

What is a mini stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:31:41 +0000

Answered: What is the biggest reason for strokes?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:27:41 +0000

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the biggest reason for strokes, causing more than half of them.

Answered: What can raise my chances of having a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:27:08 +0000

Older age and family history of strokes are among the things that make you more likely to have a stroke. You can’t turn back the clock or change your relatives. Still, experts say 80% of strokes can be prevented. A quarter of Americans who have strokes have had one before. So what can you do to tilt the odds in your favor?

Answered: What should my cholesterol readings be to help avoid stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:23:56 +0000

Keep your numbers in the healthy range:

If diet and exercise aren’t enough to keep your cholesterol in check, your doctor may recommend medication.

Total cholesterol: under 200 mg/dL of blood
LDL (bad) cholesterol: under 100 mg/dL
HDL (good) cholesterol: above 60 mg/dL

Answered: What's the link between high blood pressure and stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:22:51 +0000

If it’s not managed well, high blood pressure can make you 4-6 times more likely to have a stroke. This is because it can thicken the artery walls and make cholesterol or other fats build up and form plaques. If one of those breaks free, it can block your brain’s blood supply.

High blood pressure also can weaken arteries and make them more likely to burst, which would cause a hemorrhagic stroke.

Answered: What is thrombolysis?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:21:45 +0000

Thrombolysis, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a treatment to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs. Thrombolysis may involve the injection of clot-busting drugs through an intravenous (IV) line or through a long catheter that delivers drugs directly to the site of the blockage. It also may involve the use of a long catheter with a mechanical device attached to the tip that either removes the clot or physically breaks it up.

Answered: When is thrombolysis done?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:21:10 +0000

The most commonly used clot-busting drugs -- also known as thrombolytic agents -- include:

Eminase (anistreplase)
Retavase (reteplase)
Streptase (streptokinase, kabikinase)
t-PA (class of drugs that includes Activase)
TNKase (tenecteplase)
Abbokinase, Kinlytic (rokinase)

Answered: What thrombolytic drugs are used for blood clots?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:20:03 +0000

The most commonly used clot-busting drugs -- also known as thrombolytic agents -- include:

Eminase (anistreplase)
Retavase (reteplase)
Streptase (streptokinase, kabikinase)
t-PA (class of drugs that includes Activase)
TNKase (tenecteplase)
Abbokinase, Kinlytic (rokinase)

Answered: How are thrombolytic drugs given to treat blood clots?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:19:19 +0000

Depending on the circumstances, a doctor may choose to inject clot-busting drugs into the access site through a catheter. More often, however, doctors insert a longer catheter into the blood vessel and guide it near the blood clot to deliver medications directly to the clot.

Answered: When is thrombolysis not recommended?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:18:30 +0000

Although thrombolysis can safely and effectively improve blood flow and relieve or eliminate symptoms in many patients without the need for more invasive surgery, it's not recommended for everyone. Thrombolysis may not be recommended for patients who use blood-thinning medication, herbs, or dietary supplements, or for people with certain conditions associated with an increased risk of bleeding. These conditions include:

Severe high blood pressure
Active bleeding or severe blood loss
Hemorrhagic stroke from bleeding in the brain
Severe kidney disease
Recent surgery

Answered: What is a thrombotic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:18:00 +0000

A thrombotic stroke is caused by a clot in your brain. A clot or blockage forms in one of the arteries that moves blood through your brain. Brain cells begin to die because blood flow is blocked.

Answered: How are alcohol use and stroke related?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:17:33 +0000

Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and your triglycerides. Drinking too much can cause an irregular heartbeat (Afib), too .

Answered: What is the best way to prevent strokes?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:16:32 +0000

Experts say 80% of strokes can be prevented. The single best way to do that is to get your blood pressure in the healthy range. That means lower than 130/80.

Answered: What is an ischemic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:15:47 +0000

In almost 9 out of 10 cases, a stroke happens because something, usually a clot, blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Doctors call this an ischemic stroke.

Answered: When is your blood pressure too high?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:15:17 +0000

If your blood pressure is consistently over 130/80, you have hypertension.

The top (systolic) number is the force in the arteries when your heart beats. The bottom (diastolic) one is the pressure between beats, when your heart rests.

If either number is higher than normal, it means your heart is pumping harder than it should. Studies show that that over time, that makes you more likely to have a stroke.

Answered: What can you do to prevent stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:14:46 +0000

If you get your blood pressure under control, you can cut your chance of having a stroke by almost half. You can also try to:

Eat less salt, sugar, and saturated fats (mainly from meat and poultry). Avoid artificial trans fats (often found in processed foods that have “hydrogenated” ingredients). Eat more fiber, fruits, and leafy green vegetables
Get to a healthy weight.
Stop smoking.
Limit alcohol.
Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks, 5 times a week.
Lower your stress.

Answered: How can high blood pressure cause stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:13:51 +0000

High blood pressure puts your arteries under constant stress. As with a tire that’s been overpumped, too much force inside your blood vessels damages the artery walls and makes them weaker.

Answered: What happens when you have a stroke on the right side of your brain?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:12:59 +0000

With a stroke on the right side of your brain, you might have:

Problems judging distances and picking things up
Trouble reading facial expressions or tone of voice
Weakness or paralysis on your left side

What causes brain hemorrhage?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:11:46 +0000

Answered: What is a hemorrhagic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:11:15 +0000

Strokes caused by bleeding in or around the brain are hemorrhagic strokes. They tend to be more serious and deadlier than clot-based ones (ischemic strokes). They happen when a weak blood vessel breaks open, usually because of an aneurysm (a spot that has ballooned up from pressure).

Answered: What should you know about the types of strokes?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:10:27 +0000

Have you learned that someone you care about had a stroke? Don't jump to conclusions about how it will affect him. Not all strokes are created equal. There are three major kinds, with different warning signs and symptoms.

All types have one thing in common: a loss of blood to part of your brain. That causes big problems.

Your brain cells need the oxygen that's carried by your blood. So when a stroke cuts the supply, some of the cells start to die. And that sets off trouble like memory loss, confusion, and numbness on one side your body.

Answered: What are the two main types of stroke and what should you do if you have signs?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:09:47 +0000

There are two main types of stroke:

If you have signs of any of them, call 911 right away. The sooner you get treated, the less likely you are to have long-term effects.

Ischemic
Hemorrhagic

Answered: What are the different types of hemorrhagic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:09:11 +0000

Your doctor may tell you about two types of hemorrhagic stroke that are based on where the bleeding happens. If he says you had a subarachnoid hemorrhage, that means it happened in the area between your brain and skull. But if he says it was an intracerebral hemorrhage, your bleeding was inside the brain.

Answered: What are the two main types of ischemic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:08:37 +0000

There are two main types of ischemic stroke:

Thrombotic strokes. They're caused by a blood clot that forms in an artery that supplies blood to your brain.

Embolic strokes. They happen when a clot forms somewhere else in your body and travels through the blood vessels to your brain. It gets stuck there and stops the flow of your blood.

Answered: How can carotid ultrasound help diagnose a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:07:39 +0000

Carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to find fatty deposits that may have narrowed or blocked the arteries that carry blood to your brain.

Answered: What are some of the early symptoms of a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:07:00 +0000

It can seem like part of your brain quickly went offline. You might be grabbing milk from the fridge and suddenly your face feels funny. Or sitting at your desk and realize you can't budge your arm to answer the phone. Or in the middle of a sentence when you start slurring your words.

Any one of those three signs -- face drooping, arm weakness, and trouble talking -- means someone needs to call 911. Don't wait. And don't call your doctor or family members first.

Answered: How is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) different from a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:06:09 +0000

The main difference is that a TIA only lasts a few minutes. The clot then gets pushed along, like a temporary clog in a pipe, or chemicals in your body quickly break it down. Normal blood flow returns to your brain before any lasting problems set in. Symptoms can last for up to 24 hours, but they're usually gone in an hour.

Strokes, on the other hand, don't go away so quickly. That means some part of your brain goes without oxygen, and the longer that lasts, the more damage happens.

Answered: What causes a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:04:49 +0000

TIAs typically happen because a blood clot gets lodged in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. Without regular blood flow, your brain is starved for oxygen and can't work like it normally does.

That's why you get symptoms like muscle weakness or slurred speech. It'd be like having a clogged fuel line in your car. Your engine can't run if it's not getting gas.

You can also get a TIA if so much plaque builds up in an artery that it severely limits blood flow to the brain, like a clot.

Answered: What are the risk factors of a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:04:05 +0000

Age. The odds of a TIA or stroke get much higher when you're over 55.
Family or personal history
Race. African-Americans, as well as people who belong to South Asian and Caribbean ethnic groups, have a higher chance.
Gender. Women have a greater risk, particularly if you're pregnant, or take birth control pills, or if you smoke.
Being overweight
Carotid artery disease
Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Sickle cell disease

Answered: How can medications affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:03:36 +0000

Some medicines can raise your chances of stroke. For instance, blood-thinning drugs, which doctors suggest to prevent blood clots, can sometimes make a stroke more likely through bleeding. Studies have linked hormone therapy, used for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, with a higher risk of strokes -- and low-dose estrogen in birth control pills may also make your odds go up.

Answered: How can race affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:02:27 +0000

Strokes affect African-Americans and non-white Hispanic Americans much more often than any other group in the U.S. Sickle cell disease, a genetic condition that can narrow arteries and interrupt blood flow, is also more common in these groups and in people whose families came from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or Asia.

Answered: How can high blood pressure affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:01:41 +0000

Your doctor may call it hypertension, but high blood pressure is the biggest cause of strokes. If your blood pressure is typically 140/90 or higher, your doctor will discuss treatments with you.

Answered: How does a stroke happen?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:01:09 +0000

A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of your brain gets cut off. Without the oxygen in blood, brain cells start dying within minutes. To help prevent a stroke, learn about the causes and the things that can raise your odds of getting one.

Answered: How can diabetes affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:00:39 +0000

People who have it often have high blood pressure and are more likely to be overweight. Both raise the chance of a stroke. Diabetes damages your blood vessels, which makes a stroke more likely. If you have a stroke when your blood sugar levels are high, the injury to your brain is greater.

Answered: How can weight and exercise affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:00:04 +0000

Your chances of a stroke may go up if you're overweight. You can lower your odds by working out every day. Take a brisk 30-minute walk, or do muscle-strengthening exercises like pushups and working with weights.

What is a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:58:56 +0000

Answered: What are the different types of stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:58:43 +0000

A stroke can happen in two main ways: Something blocks the flow of blood, or something causes bleeding in the brain. There are several types of stroke. For example:

Some people have what's called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This "mini stroke" is due to a temporary blockage. It doesn't cause permanent brain damage, but it raises your odds of having a full-scale stroke.

Ischemic stroke. In 8 out of 10 strokes, a blood vessel that takes blood to your brain gets plugged. It happens when fatty deposits in arteries break off and travel to the brain or when poor blood flow from an irregular heartbeat forms a blood clot.
Hemorrhagic stroke. It's less common than an ischemic stroke, but can be more serious. A blood vessel in your brain balloons up and bursts, or a weakened one leaks. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and taking too much blood thinner medicine can lead to this kind of stroke.

Answered: How can tobacco affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:58:07 +0000

Smoking or chewing tobacco raises your odds of a stroke. Nicotine makes your blood pressure go up. Cigarette smoke causes a fatty buildup in your main neck artery. It also thickens your blood and makes it more likely to clot. Even secondhand smoke can affect you.

Answered: How can family affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:57:33 +0000

Strokes can run in families. You and your relatives may share a tendency to get high blood pressure or diabetes. Some strokes can be brought on by a genetic disorder that blocks blood flow to the brain.

Answered: What is a subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:57:04 +0000

A subarachnoid hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel around your brain bursts or leaks. It bleeds into the area between your brain and the tissue around it (the subarachnoid space). Brain cells are damaged by lack of oxygen and added pressure. The more blood there is, the more pressure, and the more damage.

Answered: How can heart disease affect my risk for a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:56:37 +0000

This condition includes defective heart valves as well as atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat, which causes a quarter of all strokes among the very elderly. You can also have clogged arteries from fatty deposits.

Answered: How is stroke diagnosed?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:56:03 +0000

At the hospital, your doctor will want to rule out other conditions that might cause your symptoms. These could include seizure, migraine, low blood sugar, or a heart problem.

Your doctor may:

Ask when your symptoms started and get information about your medical history
Check how alert you are, and see if you can't move one side of the face or you have trouble with coordination and balance
Check if you feel numb or weak in any part of your body
See if you have trouble with your vision or speech
Do a physical exam, take your blood pressure, and listen to your heart

Answered: What are hemorrhagic stroke symptoms?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:55:23 +0000

Hemorrhagic stroke symptoms usually happen slowly over minutes or a few hours, although a subarachnoid hemorrhage may come on suddenly.

Some things that can happen:

Intense headache that some people describe as "the worst headache they've ever had."
Confusion.
Nausea or throwing up.
Sensitivity to light.
Problems with vision.
Passing out.

Answered: When should you do during and after you call 911 about a stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:54:11 +0000

When you make the call, say, "I think it's a stroke." That lets the 911 dispatcher know to act quickly and get an ambulance to you right away.

While you wait, the best thing you can do is sit tight. As the minutes tick by, new symptoms may set in. Still, you're much more likely to get the care you need if you wait for the ambulance.

What you can do is make sure the front door is unlocked for medical workers and loosen any clothes around your neck or chest so you can breathe easily.

Answered: How can you prevent a silent stroke?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:53:35 +0000

Your chances of having a stroke go up if you have high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

Lifestyle changes can help lower your chance of stroke and heart disease. Make a plan to adopt these healthy habits:

Keep tabs on your blood pressure, and get it under control if it's too high.
Check your cholesterol.
Keep your blood sugar at the right levels.
If you smoke, quit.
Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Cut back on saturated fats (found in red meat, for example), salt, and sugar.
Get regular exercise.
Keep to a healthy weight.