I'm Dr. Robert Brown,
neurologist at Mayo Clinic.
In this video, we'll
cover the basics of a stroke.
What is it, who it happens to,
the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Whether you're looking for answers for
yourself or someone you love,
we're here to give you
the best information available.
You've likely heard the term stroke before.
They affect about 800,000 people
in the United States each year.
Strokes happen in two ways.
In the first, a blocked artery
can cut off blood to an area of the brain.
And this is known as an ischemic stroke.
85% of strokes are of this type.
The second type of stroke happens when
a blood vessel can leak or burst.
So the blood spills into
the brain tissue or surrounding the brain.
And this is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Prompt treatment can reduce
brain damage and the likelihood
of death or disability.
So if you or someone
you know is experiencing a stroke,
you should call 911 and seek
emergency medical care right away.
Anyone can have a stroke,
but some things put you at
higher risk. And some things
can lower your risk.
If you're 55 and older,
if you're African-American, if you're a man,
or if you have a family history
of strokes or heart attacks,
your chances of having a stroke are higher.
Being overweight, physically inactive,
drinking alcohol heavily,
recreational drug use.
Those who smoke, have
high blood pressure or high cholesterol,
have poorly controlled diabetes,
suffer from obstructive sleep apnea,
or have certain forms of
heart disease are at greater risk as well.
Look for these signs and symptoms
if you think you or someone you know
is having a stroke:
Sudden trouble speaking and
understanding what others are saying.
Paralysis or numbness of the face,
arm or leg on one side of the body.
Problems seeing in one or both eyes,
trouble walking, and a loss of balance.
Now many strokes are
not associated with headache,
but a sudden and severe headache can
sometimes occur with some types of stroke.
If you notice any of these,
even if they come and go
or disappear completely,
seek emergency medical attention
or call 911.
Don't wait to see if symptoms
stop, for every minute counts.
Once you get to the hospital,
your emergency team will review
your symptoms and complete a physical exam.
They will use several tests
to help them figure out what type of
stroke you're having and
determine the best treatment for the stroke.
This could include a CT scan or MRI scan,
which are pictures of the brain and arteries,
a carotid ultrasound, which is
a soundwave test of the carotid arteries
which provide blood flow to the front parts
of the brain, and blood tests.
Once your doctors can determine if you're
having an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke,
they'll be able to figure
out the best treatment.
If you're suffering an ischemic stroke,
it's important to restore blood flow to
your brain as quickly as possible,
providing the oxygen and other
nutrients your brain cells need to survive.
To do this, doctors may use
an intravenous clot buster medicine,
dissolving the clot that
is obstructing the blood flow
or they may perform
an emergency endovascular procedure.
This involves advancing a tiny plastic tube
called a catheter up into the brain arteries,
allowing the blockage in
the artery to be removed directly.
Unlike ischemic strokes,
the goal for treating
a hemorrhagic stroke is to control
the bleeding and reduce
pressure in the brain.
Doctors may use emergency medicines
to lower the blood pressure,
prevent blood vessel spasms,
encourage clotting and prevent seizures.
Or, if the bleeding is severe,
surgery may be performed to
remove the blood that is in the brain.
Every stroke is different, and so
every person's road to recovery is different.
Management of a stroke often
involves a care team
with several specialties.
This may include a neurologist and
a physical medicine and
rehabilitation physician, among others.
Now, in the end, our goal
is to help you recover
as much function as possible
so that you can live independently.
A stroke is a life-changing
event that can affect
you emotionally as much as it can physically.
You may feel helpless,
frustrated, or depressed.
So look for help and
support from friends and family.
Accept that recovery will take
hard work and most of all time.
Strive for a new normal and
remember to celebrate your progress.
If you'd like to learn even
more about strokes,
watch our other related videos
or visit Mayo Clinic.org.
We wish you all the best.