Are you ignoring your heart’s signs of a stroke?

Is your heart warning you about the signs of a stroke?

Are you at risk for a stroke without even realizing it? Identifying a stroke can be confusing as the body exhibits multiple warning signs at once. Let us learn more about stroke’s causes, symptoms, treatment, and types.

Charnock Hospital’s Cardiology department is manned by highly skilled Cardiologists trained Worldwide to offer expert care for your cardiac issues. Schedule a consultation now with our best Cardiologists to resolve your cardiac concerns. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) occurs when the blood to the brain tissue is blocked completely, thereby obstructing the brain’s supply of oxygen and nutrients causing brain cells to damage or die. This condition may be serious or life-threatening, so immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider is crucial. 

Did you know? As per the research conducted in 2022, Stroke is the fourth cause for death and the fifth cause for disability in India.

What are the types of stroke?

Stroke is of two types. They are Ischemic and Hemorrhagic stroke.

• Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke is a major condition that occurs due to a thrombus or embolism within the blood vessel. In simpler words, the blood flow to the artery within the brain is interrupted by blood clot formation. 
• Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of major stroke occurs in the brain which leads to bleeding. Hemorrhagic stroke happens due to the bursting of blood vessels within the brain, causing leakage of blood.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Transient Ischemic Attack is a warning sign for future stroke. It is often referred to as a mini-stroke, where the blood flow is obstructed only for a short time. Identifying TIA and treating it is crucial as it reduces the risk of major strokes in the future.

What are the causes of stroke?

 The possible causes of stroke or brain attack are:

• Plaques (fatty deposits) 
• Blood clots
• Uncontrolled blood pressure
• Trauma from accidents
• Overuse of certain medications like blood thinners

What are the symptoms of stroke?

The symptoms of stroke vary based on the individual and the damage caused to the brain cells. Some of them are:

• Headache with vomiting
• Paralysis or numbness or inability to move part of the face, arm, or leg restricting to one side of the body.
• Difficulty in vision (one or both eyes)
• Metallic taste 
• Confusion, trouble with speaking
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in walking
• Dystonia (uncontrolled muscle contractions)
• Alexia (inability to understand written language)
• Agnosia (inability to identify voices, faces, objects, or places)

If you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

Be F.A.S.T to recognize stroke symptoms:

If the person feeling the stroke symptoms doesn’t arrive on time at the hospital, check for these signs:

• F-Face: Drooping of one side of the face when the person is trying to smile.
• A-Arms: Downward drifting of one arm when the person is trying to raise his/ her arms.
• S- Speech: Slurring or strange speech when the person is trying to say a simple sentence.
• T- Time: Record the time of the first symptoms. 

Suppose any of these signs are seen, get immediate help by calling an ambulance.

What is the treatment for stroke? 

The treatment methods depend on the type of stroke: ischemic or hemorrhagic. 

For treating an ischemic stroke, the blood flow to the brain must be quickly revived. This can be achieved with: 

• Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): tPA is an emergency medicine administered intravenously that helps to dissolve the blood clots in the brain. Providing this medicine immediately will increase the survival rates and lessen the complications. Once the blood clot is dissolved, you will recover fully with fewer chances of disability. 

• Endovascular procedure: This emergency procedure is done by a doctor inserting a catheter to remove a blood clot from the brain. It’s often performed with tPA administration, to treat sudden ischemic stroke.

The main aim to treat hemorrhagic stroke is to save the brain tissue by stopping the bleeding from a ruptured artery. To achieve this, certain medications, surgery, or procedures are required. 

Surgery: Surgical coiling or clipping is performed to control the bleeding. The aneurysm (bulging of blood vessels) is treated to stop the blood loss.

Medications: Pain relievers, vasopressors, anticonvulsants, and blood pressure control medications are prescribed by the medical professional to manage pain, reduce bleeding, prevent seizures, and maintain blood pressure respectively.

Lifestyle: Cultivating a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, being active, managing stress, quitting smoking and alcohol use, sleeping for 7 to 9 hours, and taking medications as directed will reduce the recurrence of stroke and improve your quality of life. Reduce or eliminate the foods rich in saturated and trans fats as they will worsen your health and result in complications.

The recovery time after a stroke differs based on the individual. Some people recover in a short time while others require a longer time to heal. The medical care team will provide a treatment plan including medications, diet, and exercise. Following this consistently with routine health check-ups will improve your overall health and reduce the risk of stroke recurrence.

If you already had a brain attack or stroke, the incidence of recurrence is high. When you or someone else is feeling the symptoms of a stroke, quick action can save a life. Try to note the time of first symptoms, this will help the healthcare provider to deliver the right treatment. Driving by yourself or someone else is not advisable as you will lose those crucial minutes of saving a life or yours. Call for an ambulance as the medical professional will help to identify the possible cause and the right treatment before going to the emergency room at the hospital. This increases the chances of recovery and saves you from less or no disability.