What is CVA or Brain Stroke?
Brain Stroke is a condition when normal blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. Firstly, a low blood supply causes less oxygen and nutrients into the brain tissues. Secondly, it leads to further damage to the brain cells. Brain stroke is also called cerebrovascular accident or CVA.
FAST is a criterion to identify the symptoms of brain stroke and CVA. The guidelines of FAST can prevent the damage of brain cells.
Symptoms of Brain Stroke
The symptoms of brain stroke depend on the damaged area of the brain. The sooner you identify the symptoms of the stroke and get care, the better the outcome is likely to be. The symptoms of brain stroke or CVA happened suddenly and quickly.
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, face, or leg.
- Slurred speech or trouble speaking
- Sudden disorientation and confusion
- Difficulty in walking, loss of balance and coordination.
- Sudden loss of vision for one eye or both eyes
- Blurred vision or double vision (Diplopia)
- Sudden severe headache without any known cause
- Nausea and vomiting
- Convulsions or seizures
FAST Symptoms of Brain Stroke
FAST is the best tool to diagnose stroke quickly. You can save a patient’s life by identifying the warning signs of stroke.
F – Face Droops or Facial deviation. Ask the patient to smile and see if the face droops to one side.
A-Arm Arms weakness is especially one-sided. Ask the patient to raise both arms up and see if one arm drops.
S – Speech is slurred or strange-sounding words
T – Time is very crucial for stroke patients. If treatment is started within 3 hours of the first sign of the stroke, chances of recovery from stroke are more.
Call the emergency number of your city or call 911 right away once you identify the first symptoms of stroke
Types of Brain Stroke
Brain Stroke can be classified into 3 categories basis on the interruption of Blood supply to the brain.
Ischemic Brain Stroke
Ischemic brain stroke is the most common type of stroke; about 80% of brain strokes fall under this category. If a blood vessel or artery supplying to the brain is blocked by a blood clot is called an ischemic stroke. The impact of an ischemic stroke lasts longer and may become permanent.
Hemorrhagic Brain Stroke
Hemorrhagic brain stroke is caused when a blood vessel or artery is ruptured and bleeds into the brain. Blood collects and makes a clot in the brain which is also called brain hemorrhage. This phenomenon causes damage to the brain cells and stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke can lead to permanent disabilities and Paralysis even death.
Transient Ischemic Attack
Transient ischemic stroke or TIA is also called a mini-brain stroke. TIA or transient brain stroke happens when blood supply to the part of the brain is interrupted for short time. The damage to the brain cells is reversible and not permanent but this is an indication of having a brain stroke again.
Risk Factors of Brain Stroke and CVA
- Unbalanced Diet including high salt diet, saturated fats, trans fats, High cholesterol, and high sugar diet
- Lack of exercise and inactivity for prolonged hours
- Heavy use of Alcohol
- Tobacco use and smoking
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Diseases
- Diabetes Meletus
- Obesity
Brain Stroke Recovery Chances
Can Stroke be Cured? Brain Stroke requires urgent medical attention and if the treatment is given within 3 hours of the first symptom appears. The chances of brain stroke recovery are very high if care is given within a defined time. Almost 10 percent of stroke patients recover fully and around 25% of patients recover with minor issues. Early treatment of stroke is a key to preventing the following outcomes:
- Brain Dead or Brain Damage
- Permanent and long-term disability
- Death
Treatment of Brain Stroke
Urgent medical evaluation and prompt treatment are vital to recovering from the stroke. The treatment depends on the type of brain stroke.
Stroke Medication or Medical Management
- Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
- Tissue Plasminogen Activators (TPAs)
- Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs
- Statins and Anti Hypertensive Drugs
Treatment of Ischemic Brain Stroke and TIA
- Thrombolytic Drugs or clot breaking drugs
- Mechanical thrombectomy
- Stenting of the affected artery
- Surgical Management if the above options do not work
Hemorrhagic Brain Stroke treatment
- Reduce Blood pressure
- Lower the Pressure in Brain
- Coiling and Clamping
- Surgery – Craniotomy
Test to Diagnose the Brain Stroke
- CT scan and MRI
- ECG and Echocardiogram
- Cerebral Angiogram
- Carotid Ultrasound
- Blood Tests
