HEALTH MATTERS

What Is A Stroke Or Brain Attack?

Stroke is a disease that affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. It is also sometimes
called brain attack.

What Causes A Stroke Or Brain Attack?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. Now, because of this rupture or blockage, part of the brain doesn't get the blood flow it needs.

When the blood flow is blocked the oxygen for nerve cells in the affected area of the brain can't function and die within minutes. And when nerve cells can't function, the part of the body controlled by these cells can't function either. The effects of stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells aren't replaced.

There are four main types of stroke:

• two are caused by blood clots or other particles
• two by hemorrhage or bleeding are cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism which are the most common, accounting for about 70-80 percent of all strokes.

Hemorrhage, or bleeding, from an artery in the brain can be caused by a head injury or a burst aneurysm .
Aneurysms are blood-filled pouches that balloon out from weak spots in the artery wall. They're often caused or aggravated by high blood pressure. Aneurysms aren't always dangerous, but if one bursts in the brain, a stroke results.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Stroke Or Brain Attack?

Stroke Symptoms / Warning Signs

IF YOU NOTICE ONE OR MORE OF THESE SIGNS, DON'T WAIT.
CALL YOUR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. GET TO A HOSPITAL RIGHT
AWAY!

• The American Stroke Association says the symptoms of stroke are: Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
   

What Are The Risk Factors For A Stroke Or Brain Attack?

• Heredity
• Race (African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than white Americans.)
• Male sex
• Age
• Sodium (salt) sensitivity
• Obesity and overweight
   

Age is one risk factor that can't be changed. Generally speaking, the older people get, the more likely they are to develop high blood pressure.

Heredity is another factor. People whose parents have high blood pressure are more likely to develop it than those whose parents don't. African Americans are also more likely to have high blood pressure than whites.

Some women who have never had high blood pressure develop it during pregnancy.

Women taking oral contraceptives is more likely to develop high blood pressure if she's overweight, has had high blood pressure during pregnancy, has a family history of high blood pressure or has mild kidney disease.
 

How Is A Stroke Treated?

Surgery, drugs, hospital care and rehabilitation are all accepted ways to treat stroke.

When a neck artery has become partially blocked, surgery might be used to remove the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. This is called carotid endarterectomy .

Cerebral angioplasty is a new technique. In this procedure balloons, stents and coils are used to treat some types of blood vessel problems of the brain.

Sometimes treating a stroke means treating the heart, because various forms of heart disease can contribute to the risk of stroke. For example, damaged heart valves may need to be surgically treated or treated with anti-clotting drugs to lower the chance of clots forming around them.
 

How Can I Get More Information About Stroke?

Ask Your Doctor

American Stroke Association
http://www.strokeassociation.org