Stroke can be best described as a brain attack. The brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood to function properly and this is supplied through an intricate network of blood vessels throughout the brain. In case this supply is disrupted for any reason, brain tissues don’t get enough blood or oxygen, and in the process start dying out. The damage may be temporary or permanent, causing death, disability or loss of one or more brain functions. The episode and the resulting condition are both called a stroke.
This sequence of events is exactly what happens in a heart attack too.
If a patient presents with any of the symptoms mentioned above, the neurologist would calculate what is known as the ABCDD score. Even the common man can keep this in mind to get an idea of stroke risk.
With the above-mentioned risk factors, around 10% of patients would suffer a stroke within a year.
Where do we take the person who is exhibiting stroke symptoms?
A cath lab or angio suite is mandatory for a center to be designated a comprehensive stroke care center. This is because many stroke patients nowadays need not only CT scan and MRI but also need a cath lab facility similar to patients who have suffered a heart attack.
“It was a quiet day in the office and I was having lunch, when I suddenly felt my face go numb. My face started drooping and my speech was slurred. My colleagues rushed me to Kauvery and I was admitted to HASU. It was soon established that what I had was a stroke. Thrombolysis was done immediately but didn’t fetch desired results. Soon after, I was transferred to Cath Lab for Mechanical Thrombectomy and the clot was successfully removed. Today, I lead a perfectly normal life, because of the quick and effective treatment I received at Kauvery Hospital.”
– Mr. Sudhir Babu, 47 years
1. What is a stroke?
A stroke is a medical emergency where the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, leading to potential brain damage, disability, or death. It is often called a “brain attack.”
2. What are the main types of strokes?
There are three main types: ischemic stroke (blocked blood vessel), transient ischemic attack (temporary blockage), and hemorrhagic stroke (ruptured blood vessel).
3. What are common stroke symptoms?
Symptoms include trouble speaking, vision problems, paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, severe headache, and loss of balance.
4. How can I recognize a stroke using the FAST method?
FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. If someone shows these signs, seek medical help immediately.
5. What are the key risk factors for a stroke?
Risk factors include being over 60 years old, high blood pressure, diabetes, and having symptoms like speech, vision, or hearing impairment lasting over 10 minutes.
6. How can I prevent a stroke?
Preventive measures include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and getting regular health checkups.
4 1/2 hours is a very short time to get immediate care especially for people living in rural areas. More hospitals should take the initiative to include emergency stroke treatments.
Knowing the process of the treatment done is definitely reassuring. Thanks for sharing the details about this potentially deadly condition.
Thanks for this wonderful Blog. Very helpful content.
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