STROKE
There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or
bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may have only a
temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA),
that doesn't cause lasting symptoms.
CAUSES
High blood pressure. Your doctor may call it hypertension. ...
Tobacco. Smoking or chewing it raises your odds of a stroke. ...
Heart disease. 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. ...
Diabetes.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble
seeing in one or both eyes.
TESTING
Computed tomography (CT) scan.
A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show
bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells. The CT scan also can find other problems that
can cause stroke symptoms.
SILENT STROKE
A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most
strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents
blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.
TREATMENT
An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called
alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for
ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first
three hours.
There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or
bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may have only a
temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA),
that doesn't cause lasting symptoms.
CAUSES
High blood pressure. Your doctor may call it hypertension. ...
Tobacco. Smoking or chewing it raises your odds of a stroke. ...
Heart disease. 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. ...
Diabetes.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble
seeing in one or both eyes.
TESTING
Computed tomography (CT) scan.
A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show
bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells. The CT scan also can find other problems that
can cause stroke symptoms.
SILENT STROKE
A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most
strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents
blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.
TREATMENT
An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called
alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for
ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first
three hours.
