Stroke: Everything You Need to Know

A stroke is a serious medical event that impacts the brain. Getting medical attention quickly for stroke can lower the risk of complications. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 right away.^1,2

There are 2 types of stroke and they have different causes.^1,2

An ischemic stroke happens if blood flow to the brain is blocked. This keeps the brain from getting oxygen and nutrients. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or leaks. This increases pressure on brain cells.^1,2

About 90 percent of strokes are ischemic and the rest are hemorrhagic.^1,2

Stroke symptoms

Stroke symptoms differ from 1 person to the next. Possible stroke symptoms include:^1-3

• Trouble speaking, trouble understanding people, or general confusion
• Numbness or paralysis, especially on 1 side of the face or body
• Severe, sudden headache
• Blurry or dark vision in 1 or both eyes
• Trouble walking or balancing
• Vomiting
• Dizziness

Stroke causes

An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in the blood vessels in the brain. Blood flow can be blocked by fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels. They can also be blocked by blood clots that travel through the bloodstream.^1,3

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or breaks open. This can be caused by several factors including:^1,3

• High blood pressure
• Taking blood-thinning drugs, called anticoagulants
• Bulging at weak spots in blood vessel walls, called aneurysms
• Head trauma, for example from a car accident

Stroke risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of having a stroke. These can include:^1,3

• Smoking
• Not being physically active
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Family history of stroke
• Old age
• Heart disease such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), heart failure, heart defects, heart infection, or irregular heart rhythm

Stroke treatment

Stroke treatment depends on the type of stroke. It may include drugs, surgery or procedures, and rehabilitation. Drugs for ischemic stroke include antithrombotics and thrombolytics. Antithrombotics prevent blood clots from forming. Thrombolytics treat strokes by dissolving blood clots.^4,5

Ischemic strokes can also be treated by some surgeries. Surgery for stroke may include:^4,5

• Angioplasty – In an angioplasty a small balloon is inserted into the blocked artery. It presses the blockage out of the way to open the artery.
• Stenting – This surgery places a small metal tube called a stent in the clogged artery. This helps the artery stay open.
• Carotid endarterectomy – This surgery involves removing fatty deposits from the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
• Endovascular thrombectomy – This procedure removes a clot by suctioning it out.

Hemorrhagic strokes require surgery or procedures to stop the bleeding. Medicine for ischemic strokes can make hemorrhagic strokes worse. So it is important for doctors to determine which stroke you had. Surgery for hemorrhagic strokes includes:^3-5

• Surgical clipping – Surgeons place a tiny clamp near an aneurysm to keep it from breaking open.
• Coiling – A surgeon uses a catheter to place tiny coils into an aneurysm to fill it and keep it from leaking blood. This is also called endovascular embolization.
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) repair – AVM is a tangle of bad arteries and veins that can leak. If the stroke was caused by AVM, surgery may remove or fix it.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery – This procedure uses radiation to repair blood vessel damage.

Stroke rehabilitation

Strokes may cause long-term impacts. Many people may need rehabilitation after a stroke. A person who has had a stroke may have paralysis, weakness, trouble swallowing, or pain. Rehabilitation usually includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. The sooner that rehabilitation starts, the better the chances for full recovery are.^4,5