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stroke Images (Click to view larger image)
Alternative Names
brain attack, cerebrovascular accident, CVA
Definition
A stroke is the death of brain tissue that occurs when the brain does not get enough blood and oxygen.
What is going on in the body?
Strokes are classified as ischaemic strokes or haemorrhagic strokes. ischaemic strokes happen when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. The brain cells then die from lack of oxygen. Haemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain burst and release blood into the area around the brain cells. The blood then damages the brain cells. The products released when cells die cause swelling in the brain. Since the skull doesn't allow much room for expansion, this swelling can damage the brain tissue even further.
Examples of ischaemic strokes are: - stroke from arteriosclerosis, which occurs when the arteries supplying the brain are narrowed by plaque formation on the vessel walls
- stroke from carotid stenosis, which is a blockage in one of the carotid arteries in the neck
- arteritis, or artery inflammation, in an artery that supplies the brain. This may be due to a condition called temporal arteritis, for example.
- stroke from carotid dissection. A carotid dissection occurs when one of the carotid arteries in the neck is torn by an injury and blood flow to the brain is blocked.
- polycythemia vera, a blood cancer that causes blood cells to multiply and the blood to thicken. The thickened blood prevents normal oxygenation of brain cells.
- stroke from cardiogenic embolism, a condition in which blood clots travel from the heart. Blood clots from the heart may be caused by an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, severe congestive heart failure, and heart attack.
- stroke caused by cholesterol or plaque from an artery in the neck. When the cholesterol or plaque travels and blocks an artery supplying the brain, a stroke occurs.
- severe migraine headaches, which cause constriction of the blood vessels within the brain and deprive brain cells of oxygen
Haemorrhagic strokes occur when there is bleeding into the brain caused by damage to the blood vessels. A haemorrhagic stroke may be caused by: - high blood pressure
- abnormal bleeding from blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin or heparin
- haemophilia A or haemophilia B, which are blood disorders that prevent normal blood clotting
- low numbers of platelets, a type of blood cell involved in blood clotting. Low platelet counts are seen in a number of diseases and conditions, including acute infections and a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.
- rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, or weakened blood vessel wall within the brain
- sickle cell disease, an inherited condition that results in abnormal red blood cells
- a group of abnormal blood vessels within the brain known as an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM
- head injuries
- eclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure in the mother
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Strokes can cause many different signs and symptoms, depending on the area of the brain that is damaged. Some people have multiple areas of damage. Most strokes begin suddenly, develop rapidly, and cause brain damage within minutes. Signs or symptoms may include: - problems with movement, such as weakness, clumsiness, or paralysis. These are often on only one side of the body. In some cases, people may only have weakness or clumsiness in their hand. In other cases, one entire half of the body becomes paralysed.
- headache
- numbness or a lack of feeling, which is also often on only one side of the body
- speech impairments, including slurred speech or difficulty finding the correct word
- difficulty doing math or writing
- difficulty understanding speech or writing
- inability to recognise family members or common objects
- dementia, a condition that affects memory, understanding, and the ability to carry out the normal activities of daily life
- visual impairment, including blurred vision or total vision loss
- hearing impairment
- personality changes
- difficulty swallowing
- balance problems, known as ataxia
- coma
- the inability to breathe on one's own. This may require a person to be put on an artificial breathing machine, or ventilator.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Strokes are caused by an interruption of the blood flow to brain cells or by damage to brain cells.
The risk factors for stroke can be broken into in 3 categories: non-modifiable, well-documented modifiable, and less well-documented or potentially modifiable.
The non-modifiable factors are ones that cannot be changed by the individual and include: - increasing age. A person's risk of stroke doubles each year after age 55.
- race.
- gender. Men have a 50% higher chance of stroke than women do.
- family history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a short, reversible form of stroke that may serve as an early warning sign of stroke.
Well-documented modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed by the individual in conjunction with his or her doctor. These factors are linked to stroke by strong research findings, and there is documented proof that changing the risk factor lowers a person's risk of stroke. These factors include: Less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors for stroke are those that have less proof of either a link to stroke or the impact of modifying the risk factor. These factors include: - obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- alcohol abuse
- high blood levels of homocysteine, a blood component sometimes associated with a higher risk of stroke
- drug abuse
- blood disorders, such as blood that clots easily or deficiencies of various blood components
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The AHA currently states that the risk of stroke associated with HRT appears low but needs further study.
- use of birth control pills, or oral contraceptives
- inflammatory processes, such as a chronic infection with chlamydia
Several recent studies have identified factors that seem to increase or decrease the risk of stroke in particular groups of people. These studies, which warrant further investigation, include these findings: - People who were treated for high blood pressure with thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, had a significantly lower stroke risk than people on ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers.
- Women ages 39 to 50 who ate more fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had a reduced risk of ischaemic stroke. This was particularly true in women who did not take aspirin regularly.
- Women ages 15 to 44 who had 2 drinks of wine a day had a 40% to 60% lower risk of stroke than women who did not drink alcohol.
- Phenylpropanolamine, a compound contained in appetite suppressants and cold remedies, significantly increased the risk of haemorrhagic stroke in women 18 to 49 years of age.
- In one study, people who were treated in emergency departments for transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) had a 25% chance of having a stroke or other serious health event within the next 90 days.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Measures to reduce the modifiable risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of stroke, include: - measurement of blood pressure in adults at least every 2 years to screen for high blood pressure
- weight control
- physical activity
- moderation in alcohol intake
- moderate sodium intake
- for those who smoke, quitting smoking
- medications to treat high blood pressure if the person's blood pressure is over 140/90 after 3 months of these lifestyle modifications, or if the initial blood pressure is over 180/100
Other measures to reduce an individual's modifiable risk factors for stroke may include: - smoking cessation using nicotine patches, counseling, and formal smoking programs
- control of blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes through medication, diet, and exercise
- the use of ramipril in people with diabetes. A recent study showed that people with diabetes have a 33% lower risk of ischaemic stroke if they take ramipril.
- careful evaluation of asymptomatic carotid stenosis to determine the need for surgery. Coronary artery surgery, such as an endarterectomy, may be indicated. An endarterectomy opens the narrow portion of the artery and increases the blood flow to the brain. People with carotid stenosis should also work closely with their doctors to control other risk factors for stroke.
- treatment of atrial fibrillation with blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin, depending on the person's age and other risk factors
- monitoring of high levels of total cholesterol or LDL, as well as low levels of HDL. Depending on the blood levels and the person's other risk factors, medications to lower cholesterol may be given.
Measures to reduce less well-documented or potentially modifiable risks for stroke may include: - weight reduction in overweight persons
- 30 or more minutes of moderate exercise a day for most individuals. People with heart disease or disabilities should be in a medically supervised exercise program.
- a healthy diet for preventing heart disease, containing at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day
- for those who drink alcohol, drinking in moderation.
- seeking treatment for drug abuse
- monitoring of blood levels of homocysteine. For most individuals, a well-balanced diet following the Australian Guide To Healthy Eating will provide enough folic acid and B vitamins to maintain a healthy homocysteine level. For people with elevated homocysteine levels, supplements containing folic acid and B vitamins may be recommended.
- avoiding the use of oral contraceptives in women with other stroke risk factors
Some people have early warning signs that they are at risk for strokes. The most common warning sign is what is known as a transient ischaemic attack, or TIA. This is a type of reversible stroke that often goes away after a few minutes. These people can often get treatment that will prevent a stroke in the future. For instance, they may be advised to take aspirin or have carotid artery surgery to correct a blockage in a neck artery.
How is the condition diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosis of stroke is a medical history and physical examination. This may be all that is needed to make the diagnosis. In other cases, further tests may be needed.
Cranial MRIs and cranial CT scans may be ordered to show the type, size, and location of the stroke. They can also show whether or not there is bleeding in the brain, which can help with some treatment decisions.
Other tests may be ordered to help determine the cause of the stroke. For instance, a special X-ray test of the neck arteries can detect blockage. Certain X-ray tests of the heart can show heart failure or changes from a heart attack. A heart tracing, or ECG, can show abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation, or certain changes from a heart attack.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Strokes can cause death or permanent disability. Though many people recover some function in the first several months after a stroke, others show no improvement. Some people have several small strokes over time and slowly get worse with each one.
What are the risks to others?
Strokes are not contagious and pose no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Most people with strokes are treated right away with only aspirin if they do not have bleeding into the brain. This only serves to help prevent further strokes. In cases when a stroke is caught in the first few hours, a clot-dissolving medication may be used to reverse a stroke. This is why early recognition of a stroke can be important.
If someone has the early warning signs of stroke, the emergency medical system should be contacted immediately.
These signs include a sudden onset of: Specific types of medication may be needed in special cases. For instance, those with a heart infection may be given antibiotics. Those with arteritis are often given corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation in the brain.
If an individual has significant narrowing of the carotid arteries, a carotid endarterectomy may be recommended to widen them. This surgical procedure removes the cholesterol plaques and may prevent future strokes. The decision to perform surgery will depend on the person's neurological status, the type of plaque clogging the artery, and whether the plaque has a break in it, known as a rupture.
Supportive therapy may also be needed with some strokes. This may include an artificial breathing machine, or ventilator, and an artificial feeding tube if the person cannot swallow.
Rehabilitation services can help to improve a person's function after a stroke. Physiotherapy and other therapy, such as speech therapy or occupational therapy, may be used to maximise recovery.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects depend on the treatments used. For instance, aspirin may cause allergic reactions, stomach upset, or bleeding. Clot-dissolving medications can cause excessive bleeding. A ventilator may sometimes cause damage to the lungs or an infection.
A carotid artery endarterectomy can cause bleeding, infections, and allergic reactions to the anaesthesia. On rare occasions, carotid endarterectomy can cause a stroke or heart attack to occur.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After the person is stable, treatment of the risk factors for stroke, as well as the cause of the stroke, is important to prevent further strokes. For instance, stopping smoking and controlling high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are advised for most people.
Those with arteritis are often maintained on medications to reduce inflammation for long periods. Those with clots in the heart are often put on medications to thin the blood, such as warfarin.
Many people need assistance of one form or another after a stroke. This may range from using a walking cane to needing 24-hour-a-day skilled nursing care. Ongoing therapy to improve function is usually advised for at least 6 months if the person is able.
How is the condition monitored?
People having a stroke are often admitted to the hospital for close monitoring. Once the person is stable, he or she can often be sent home or to a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation centre for further therapy.
Other monitoring is related to the cause. For instance, those with clots in their heart need repeat blood tests, such as a PT test, to monitor the effects of medications used to thin the blood. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: Adam Brochert, MD
Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel
Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia
Last Updated: 1/10/2001
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request |
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