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Stroke Q&A

Why would I have a stroke?

Strokes occur when something prevents blood from flowing properly in your brain. As a result, your brain cells don’t receive enough oxygen and start dying. 

Ischemic strokes are the most common. They happen when the carotid artery in your neck becomes blocked, either by a plaque buildup or a blood clot caused by a lump of plaque breaking off. Plaque is a sticky substance made mostly of cholesterol, a fat your body needs in small amounts but that many people eat in high quantities. The excess forms plaque that blocks the arteries.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures. This is most often due to hypertension (high blood pressure), a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a brain aneurysm (a weakened, bulging section of a blood vessel).

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or mini-strokes are short-lived and don’t cause permanent brain damage. However, if you experience one, treatment is essential as your risk of a full-blown stroke is very high.  

What symptoms indicate someone’s having a stroke?

Stroke symptoms include blurred or double vision, confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, and a severe headache. As these symptoms could be due to many other conditions, it helps to remember the acronym FAST:

 

FACE

Strokes typically cause drooping on one side of the face and mouth.

 

ARM

The arm on the same side may be so weak you can’t lift it.

 

SPEECH

Strokes cause slurred speech, or you might say things that make no sense. You may also struggle to understand what others are saying.

 

TIME

If you or someone you’re with develops these symptoms, call 911 immediately. The longer someone waits for treatment, the more irreparable damage their brain suffers. Strokes — especially hemorrhagic ones — can be fatal or cause severe disability.

What treatment do strokes require?

Treatment varies depending on your stroke’s cause and severity. If your stroke is due to a blood clot, your provider might use drugs to dissolve it. Or they may perform a minimally invasive procedure to widen the blocked artery, such as balloon angioplasty.

Hemorrhagic stroke treatment focuses on preventing or relieving pressure buildup in the brain and stopping the bleeding. You might need surgery to repair the damaged blood vessels.

Post-stroke rehabilitation is also vital. Las Vegas Neurology Center offers comprehensive care that helps you regain lost function after a stroke.

Call Las Vegas Neurology Center to learn more about stroke care, or book an appointment online today. If you think someone’s having a stroke, call 911 without delay.