Symptoms
Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. Common signs include:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Causes
Ischemic Stroke: Blood clots blocking arteries in the brain. This can be caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), heart conditions that cause blood clots, or other vascular disorders.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: Bleeding in the brain. This can be caused by high blood pressure, aneurysms (weakened blood vessel walls), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), or head trauma.
Medicine Used
Ischemic Stroke:
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): A clot-busting drug used to dissolve blood clots if administered within a specific timeframe after stroke onset (usually within 3-4.5 hours).
Aspirin or other antiplatelet medications: To prevent further clot formation.
Anticoagulants (e.g., heparin, warfarin): To prevent clots, particularly in people with certain heart conditions.
Endovascular Procedures: Mechanical thrombectomy to remove large clots.
Hemorrhagic Stroke:
Medications to control blood pressure.
Medications to reduce brain swelling.
Surgery to repair blood vessels or remove blood clots in some cases.
Is Communicable
No. A stroke is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Precautions
Lifestyle modifications and medical management to reduce risk factors can help prevent stroke:
Control high blood pressure
Lower cholesterol levels
Manage diabetes
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a healthy diet
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Limit alcohol consumption
Treat underlying heart conditions
How long does an outbreak last?
Stroke is not an outbreak-related disease. Each stroke event is an individual occurrence related to the patient's own health and risk factors.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical and Neurological Exam: Assessment of reflexes, strength, sensation, vision, speech, and coordination.
Imaging Tests:
CT Scan: To quickly identify bleeding in the brain and rule out other conditions.
MRI: Provides more detailed images of the brain and can detect smaller areas of damage.
CT Angiography (CTA) or MR Angiography (MRA): To visualize blood vessels in the brain and identify blockages or abnormalities.
Other Tests:
Electrocardiogram (ECG): To detect heart problems that may have contributed to the stroke.
Blood Tests: To check for clotting disorders, infections, and other medical conditions.
Timeline of Symptoms
Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. There is not a progressive timeline of symptoms prior to the event itself. The symptoms may evolve in severity or change somewhat in the hours following the stroke, depending on the location and extent of brain damage.
Important Considerations
Time is Critical: The sooner a stroke is recognized and treated, the better the chance of minimizing brain damage and improving recovery.
Rehabilitation: Stroke rehabilitation is essential to help people regain lost function and improve their quality of life. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Long-Term Effects: Stroke can cause a wide range of long-term effects, including paralysis, speech problems, cognitive deficits, and emotional difficulties.
Prevention is Key: Focusing on managing risk factors is crucial for reducing the likelihood of future strokes.