A stroke, which in the past was called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a rapid decline of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain, caused by a blocked or burst blood vessel. This results in a disturbance of glucose and oxygen caused by the thrombosis or embolism, or due to a hemorrhage. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function which leads to the inability to move or feel one part of the body; inability to use words, articulate speech; loss of vision, double vision or sudden unexplained headache.
A stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and is the number two cause of death worldwide and may soon become the leading cause of death worldwide. Oklahomans’ awareness of stroke is low and prevalence of risk factors is high. Stroke is an emergency which can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. Therefore, it is imperative to act FAST and get to a stroke-ready Emergency Room at the point symptoms occur. Early treatment can minimize damage to your brain and avoid potential complications.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a brief episode of stroke-like symptoms that results from a temporary blockage of a blood vessel. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as stroke and usually last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. TIA’s should be considered a warning sign for a stroke and treated as a medical emergency. A person experiencing a TIA is 10 times more likely to suffer a stroke and is at the greatest risk during the first days and weeks following the TIA episode.
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Think F.A.S.T.
F: FACIAL droop, ask the person to smile
A: ARM drifts down, ask the person to raise both arms
S: SPEECH slurred or inappropriate, ask the person to repeat a simple sentence
T: TIME, call 911
Watch the F.A.S.T. video
Risk Factors:
Risk factors for stroke include advanced age, gender, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm).
Non-Modifiable:
- Age: The incidence of stroke increases as you age, however, more than a quarter of stroke survivors are younger than 65.
- Gender: Men are 30 percent more likely than women to have a stroke, yet more women die from their strokes than men.
- Race: African Americans and Hispanics have more than twice the stroke risk than Caucasians.
- History: A previous stroke or TIA increases the risk for reoccurrence. The risk for stroke is highest within 30 days after suffering a stroke. The risk for stroke after suffering a TIA is highest during the first days and weeks following the stroke.
- Heredity: The genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can be a risk for stroke. In addition, there can be genetic predisposition of malformation of the brain.
Modifiable:
- High blood pressure: Systolic pressure of 140 or higher and a diastolic of 90 or higher
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Heart Disease: Heart failure, heart attack (coronary artery disease), valve problem or abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)
- High Cholesterol: Includes elevated Triglycerides and LDL (bad type of cholesterol), and a low HDL (good cholesterol)
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption: defined as more than one drink/day in women and 2 drinks/day in men
- Obesity and lack of physical activity
A stroke can sometimes be treated with a clot-busting drug (t-PA) but always with specialized stroke care in our Certified Stroke Center.
What does the t-PA clot-busting drug do?
When patients have suffered a blocked artery (ischemic) type of stroke and go to the hospital immediately, they may receive t-PA, a clot-buster drug.
- t-PA dissolves the clot in the brain, limiting brain damage by restoring the flow of blood to the brain.
- To be eligible for the clot-buster, people experiencing stroke symptoms must go to the hospital immediately and meet other treatment criteria.
- The clot-buster drug must be given within three hours of the onset of the stroke symptoms. (In special cases this can be extended to 4.5 hours) Therefore, it is very important to act quickly if you experience stroke symptoms.