Stroke Fact Sheet
A stroke, which is also known as a brain attack, is a condition in which a blood clot or a damaged blood vessel prevents the brain from getting the oxygen that the blood is transporting. This lack of oxygen causes the cells within the brain (neurons) that allow an individual to think, move and ultimately survive to die.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
There are two major types of strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot prevents blood from flowing to the brain.
Symptoms
-
An individual may experience balance or coordination problems, confusion, dizziness, a pounding headache, memory problems, numbness or paralysis (typically on one side), speech problems, vision problems or weakness (typically on one side) after a stroke.
-
Diagnosis
-
A physician will usually use a CT scan (also known as a CAT scan) or an MRI to look for a clot or bleeding that may indicate that a stroke has occurred.
Prevention
-
An individual can lower his risk of stroke by avoiding alcohol and smoking, avoiding foods that contain a lot of fat or salt, exercising regularly and by keeping his blood pressure and cholesterol down.
Treatment
-
An individual with an ischemic stroke can typically be treated with a medication that is designed to dissolve the blood clot, while an individual with a hemorrhagic stroke may require surgery.
-
