A VISUAL GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND STROKE

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A VISUAL GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND STROKE

What Is a Stroke?

Stroke is a medical emergency and a
leading cause of death in the World. It
occurs when a blood vessel in the brain
bursts or, more commonly, when a
blockage develops. Without treatment,
cells in the brain quickly begin to die. The
result can be serious disability or death.
If a loved one is having stroke symptoms,
seek emergency medical attention
without delay.

Stroke Symptoms

Signs of a stroke may include:
•Sudden numbness or weakness of the body,
especially on one side.
•Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes, or
difficulty swallowing.
•Sudden, severe headache with unknown cause.
•Sudden problems with dizziness, walking, or
balance.
•Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or
understanding others.
Call 108 immediately if you notice any of these
symptoms.

Stroke Test: Talk, Wave, Smile

The F.A.S.T. test helps spot symptoms of
stroke. It stands for:
Face. Ask for a smile. Does one side
droop?
Arms. When raised, does one side drift
down?
Speech. Can the person repeat a simple
sentence? Does he or she have trouble or
slur words?
Time. Time is critical. Call 108 immediately
if any symptoms are present.

Stroke: Time = Brain Damage

Every second counts when seeking
treatment for a stroke. When deprived of
oxygen, brain cells begin dying within
minutes. There are clot-busting drugs that
can curb brain damage, but they need to
be used within three hours -- up to 4.5
hours in some people -- of the initial
stroke symptoms. Once brain tissue has
died, the body parts controlled by that
area won't work properly. This is why
stroke is a top cause of long-term
disability.

Diagnosing a Stroke

When someone with stroke symptoms
arrives in the ER, the first step is to
determine which type of stroke is
occurring. There are two main types and
they are not treated the same way. A CT
scan can help doctors determine whether
the symptoms are coming from a blocked
blood vessel or a bleeding vessel.
Additional tests may also be used to find
the location of a blood clot or bleeding
within the brain.

Ischemic Stroke

The most common type of stroke
is known as an ischemic stroke.
Nearly nine out of 10 strokes fall
into this category. The culprit is a
blood clot that obstructs a blood
vessel inside the brain. The clot
may develop on the spot or
travel through the blood from
elsewhere in the body.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes are
less common but far more
likely to be fatal. They occur
when a weakened blood
vessel in the brain bursts.
The result is bleeding inside
the brain that can be difficult
to stop.

Mini-Stroke' (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack, often called a
"mini-stroke," is more like a close call.
Blood flow is temporarily impaired to part
of the brain, causing symptoms similar to
an actual stroke. When the blood flows
again, the symptoms disappear. A TIA is a
warning sign that a stroke may happen
soon. It's critical to seek emergency
medical help if you think you've had a TIA.
There are therapies to reduce the risk of
stroke.

What Causes a Stroke

A common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis
-- hardening of the arteries. Plaque made of
fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other
substances builds up in the arteries, leaving
less space for blood to flow. A blood clot may
lodge in this narrow space and cause an
ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis also makes
it easier for a clot to form. Hemorrhagic
strokes often result from uncontrolled high
blood pressure that causes a weakened
artery to burst.

Risk Factors: Chronic Conditions

Certain chronic conditions increase
your risk of stroke. These include:
•High blood pressure
•High cholesterol
•Diabetes
•Obesity
Taking steps to control these
conditions may reduce your risk.

Risk Factors: Behaviors

Certain behaviors also
increase the risk of stroke:
•Smoking
•Getting too little exercise
•Heavy use of alcohol

Risk Factors: Diet

A poor diet may increase the
risk for stroke in a few
significant ways. A diet high
in fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and fish may help
lower stroke risk.

Risk Factors You Can't Control

Some stroke risk factors are beyond your
control, such as getting older or having a
family history of strokes. Gender plays a
role, too, with men being more likely to
have a stroke. However, more stroke
deaths occur in women. Finally, race is an
important risk factor. African-Americans,
Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives
are at greater risk compared to people of
other ethnicities.

Stroke: Emergency Treatment

For an ischemic stroke, emergency treatment
focuses on medicine to restore blood flow. A
clot-busting drug is highly effective at
dissolving clots and minimizing long-term
damage, but it must be as soon as possible,
within three -- or much as 4.5 hours for some
people -- of the initial stroke symptoms
Hemorrhagic strokes are more difficult to
manage. Treatment usually involves attempting
to control high blood pressure, bleeding, and
brain swelling.

Stroke: Long-Term Damage

Whether a stroke causes long-term damage
depends on its severity and how quickly
treatment stabilizes the brain. The type of
damage depends on where in the brain the
stroke occurs. Common problems after a
stroke include numbness and/or weakness in
the arms or legs, difficulty walking, vision
problems, trouble swallowing, and problems
with speech and comprehension. These
problems can be permanent, but many
people regain most of their abilities

Stroke Rehab: Speech Therapy

Rehabilitation is the centerpiece of the
stroke recovery process. It helps patients
regain lost skills and learn to compensate
for damage that can't be undone. The
goal is to help restore as much
independence as possible. For people
who have trouble speaking, speech and
language therapy is essential. A speech
therapist can also help patients who have
trouble swallowing.

Stroke Rehab: Physical Therapy

Muscle weakness, as well as
balance problems, are very common
after a stroke. This can interfere with
walking and other daily activities.
Physical therapy is an effective way
to regain strength, balance, and
coordination. For fine motor skills,
such as using a knife and fork,
writing, and buttoning a shirt,
occupational therapy can help.

Stroke Rehab: Talk Therapy

It's common for stroke survivors and
their loved ones to experience a wide
range of intense emotions, such as
fear, anger, worry, and grief. A
psychologist or mental health
counselor can provide strategies for
coping with these emotions. A
therapist can also watch for signs of
depression, which frequently strikes
people who are recovering from a
stroke.

Stroke Prevention: Lifestyle

People who have had a stroke
or TIA can take steps to prevent
a recurrence:
•Quit smoking.
•Exercise and maintain a healthy
weight.
•Limit alcohol and salt intake.
•Eat a healthier diet with more
veggies, fish, and whole grains.

Stroke Prevention: Medications

For people with a high risk of stroke,
doctors often recommend medications to
lower this risk. Anti-platelet drugs,
including aspirin, keep platelets in the
blood from sticking together and forming
clots. Anti-clotting drugs, such as warfarin,
may be needed to help ward off stroke in
some patients. Finally, if you have high
blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe
medication to lower it.

Stroke Prevention: Surgery

In some cases, a stroke results from a
narrowed carotid artery -- the blood
vessels that travel up each side of the
neck to bring blood to the brain. People
who have had a mild stroke or TIA due
to this problem may benefit from surgery
known as carotid endarterectomy. This
procedure removes plaque from the
lining of the carotid arteries and can help
prevent additional strokes.

Stroke Prevention: Balloon and Stent

Doctors can also treat a clogged carotid
artery without major surgery in some
cases. The procedure, called
angioplasty, involves temporarily
inserting a catheter into the artery and
inflating a tiny balloon to widen the area
that is narrowed by plaque. A metal tube,
called a stent, can be inserted and left in
place to keep the artery open.

Life After a Stroke

Many people who have a stroke regain the
ability to take care of themselves if they
follow their rehabilitation plan. Those who
get clot-busting drugs soon enough may
recover completely. And those who
experience disability can often learn to
function independently through therapy. It
has been shown that 3% to 4% of all
patients that experience a stroke will
subsequently experience a second stroke.

 THANK YOU

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