Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that transports blood to the brain becomes blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Both circumstances cause brain cells to rapidly die, potentially leading to long-term disability or death.

When a stroke occurs due to the blockage of a blood vessel to the brain, it is considered an ischemic stroke; these make up the majority of stroke cases. A stroke that occurs due to the bursting of a blood vessel is referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke.

Either type of stroke can cause a variety of serious symptoms, such as difficulty speaking, understanding what others are saying, walking normally, or seeing out of one or both eyes, as well as a sudden, severe headache and paralysis or numbness in the face, arms, or legs.

Ischemic stroke is typically caused by fatty deposits that accumulate inside of blood vessels, causing them to become narrow or blocked and severely restricting the flow of blood. These blockages can also occur due to blood clots or other debris that become lodged in the blood vessels of the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke can occur due to factors such as abnormally high blood pressure, brain aneurysms, physical trauma, excessive blood thinner treatment, or a buildup of protein deposits in the inner walls of the blood vessels.

Lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, heavy drinking, smoking, and the usage of certain drugs can increase your risk of experiencing a stroke. Additionally, medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and heart disease, as well as a personal or family history of stroke, may also increase your risk. Stroke is also most common in men, people over the age of 55, people who are Black or Hispanic, and people who take hormone-affecting medication that increases estrogen.

A stroke is a medical emergency – if you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately. The faster a person gets to the hospital, the higher the chance the stroke can be treated successfully, saving their life and preventing them from having permanent disability. If a stroke is occurring due to a blockage in a blood vessel, as may occur due to a clot, a surgeon can perform a thrombectomy to remove it. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery can be performed to repair the site of the rupture; you may also be given medication to reduce the bleeding. After your initial treatment, you will be referred to a stroke rehabilitation program to assist your recovery and reduce long-term disability.