Stroke

What is a stroke? 

Strokes occur when circulation in an area of your brain stops. Brain cells quickly die without the oxygen and nutrients provided by a steady blood flow.

The two primary types of strokes each have their own cause:

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke, the most common type, occurs when fatty plaque (atherosclerosis) or a blood clot blocks the blood vessel.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a mini-stroke. TIAs last a few minutes and don’t cause brain damage, so you might not be aware it happened.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by broken blood vessels in the brain. The vessels bleed, causing swelling and pressure that damages brain cells.

What symptoms do strokes cause?

Stroke symptoms usually appear suddenly and include:

• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Severe headache
• Confusion or memory loss
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• Change in or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking

The FAST acronym can help you remember common signs and how to recognize them:

• Face: One side of the face droops, which is noticeable when smiling
• Arms: When raising both arms, one drops down (even when trying to hold it up)
• Speech: Speech is slurred even when trying to speak a short phrase
• Time: You have limited time to get treatment before permanent damage is done

If you notice signs of a stroke, call 911 immediately.

Am I at risk of having a stroke?

Your risk of having a stroke is higher if you have any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Atrial fibrillation (Afib)
• Carotid artery disease
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Prior stroke or heart attack

Lifestyle habits, including an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese, and smoking, also increase the chance of a stroke.

Your Advanced Neurology of Katy provider can assess your risks and create a personalized plan to help you prevent a stroke.

How are strokes treated?

Your treatment begins at the hospital, where the team focuses on restoring blood flow or stopping the bleeding with medication and surgery.

 The skilled team at Advanced Neurology of Katy provides your post-stroke management. Most patients need ongoing medication to prevent another stroke and treatment for any underlying conditions. The team oversees your post-stroke rehabilitation.

Call the office today or connect online to schedule a stroke risk assessment or get post-stroke care.