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Log In to MyCovenantHealthUnderstanding Stroke Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Knowing the signs of a stroke can lead to life-saving treatment and a faster recovery.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when part of your brain doesn’t receive blood supply. Strokes are commonly called “brain attacks” because of the similarities to a heart attack. Instead of a blockage interrupting blood flow to the heart, internal bleeding or a clogged artery prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells.
Approximately 800,000 Americans have strokes each year, and strokes are one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States.
Strokes are medical emergencies, and it’s important to call 911 right away if you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms. Immediate treatment can reduce brain damage and clear vital arteries to avoid future strokes.
Healthy living can drastically reduce your risk of a stroke, and knowing the common symptoms can help you recognize the signs of a stroke quickly to receive medical intervention.
Types of Strokes
Strokes fall into two categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Each type can occur anywhere in the brain. Although the treatment methods differ, it’s vital to seek emergency medical care for either type of stroke.
Ischemic Strokes
Ischemic strokes are caused by blood clots in arteries leading to the brain. About 87% of strokes are ischemic, and they most commonly occur at night or first thing in the morning.
Blood clots won’t block all circulation immediately, so ischemic strokes will typically lead to the slow development of symptoms over several hours. When a clot breaks free on its own, the stroke is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Because the symptoms subside, many people won’t rush to the hospital after a TIA, but it’s still important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. These “mini-strokes” are strong predictors of a future, larger ischemic stroke.
Ischemic Stroke Symptoms
– Drooping facial muscles
– Loss of strength or sensation on one side of the body
– Difficulty speaking
– Dizziness
– Blurred vision
– Trouble balancing
Hemorrhagic Strokes
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels burst inside the brain. These strokes can be due to a ruptured aneurysm or intense head trauma. Symptoms will onset faster than with ischemic strokes, and the prognosis is often poorer.
Congenital malformations of blood vessels, known as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), greatly increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. These malformations can rupture, often due to high blood pressure. A brain scan will determine if the hemorrhage is subarachnoid (bleeding between the brain and the skull) or intracerebral (bleeding into the brain tissue). In either case, symptoms typically progress quickly, and it’s necessary to call 911 right away.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Symptoms
– Sudden, severe headache
– Confusion or trouble speaking
– Sensitivity to light
– Nausea and vomiting
Risk Factors for Stroke
Strokes can happen to anyone at any age, but adults age 65 and older have the greatest risk profile. Certain health or lifestyle factors greatly increase your risk of having a stroke, and many of these risk factors can be managed.
Stroke Risk in Women vs. Men
According to the American Stroke Association, women are at a greater risk of stroke than men, and women account for the majority of stroke fatalities in the United States. A stroke is often the first sign of cardiovascular disease to appear in women, elevating the importance of regular medical checkups and risk prevention.
Stroke Prevention
Healthy lifestyle changes are the best ways to prevent a stroke. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing high blood pressure are the best ways to lower your stroke risk.
Obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are common contributors to high blood pressure. Especially if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, it’s important to speak to your doctor about managing your blood pressure. While some medications are available, dietary and lifestyle changes are the most sustainable, long-term preventive measures.
Visit a Covenant Health provider for a stroke assessment to learn more about your personal risk factors and the steps you can take to decrease the possibility of a stroke.
How Are Strokes Diagnosed?
Strokes are diagnosed through advanced medical imaging. Doctors use CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds to pinpoint the area of the brain where the blood clot or hemorrhage has occurred. This imaging allows the medical team to identify the type of stroke and determine the best immediate treatment.
Diagnosing a TIA can be more challenging if the patient’s symptoms have already improved. Neurologists will use a combination of MRI, a physical exam, and a review of your medical history to make an accurate diagnosis.
Stroke Treatment
Strokes occur when blood flow stops in part of the brain, so the primary goal of stroke treatment is to restore circulation. Doctors rely on thrombolytics, which is a classification of anti-coagulant drugs. Covenant Health stroke specialists use tenecteplase (TNK), a powerful thrombolytic that effectively dissolves blood clots responsible for ischemic strokes.
For hemorrhagic strokes, emergency surgery may be necessary to stop the internal bleeding and repair the damaged blood vessels.
Stroke Recovery
After stroke treatment, most patients are able to leave the hospital within a few days. Some side effects of the stroke may linger, however, including trouble speaking, muscular weakness, or difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience difficulty remembering or sudden mood swings that leave them not feeling like themselves. Therapy is often recommended for at least three months following a stroke, depending on the patient’s particular needs. Doctors may also prescribe medication to reduce the risk of a second, follow-up stroke.
Stroke recovery includes a combination of physical and occupational therapy. Covenant Health offers specialized inpatient therapy at our two Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital locations and outpatient programs at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
Stroke Treatment
Strokes occur when blood flow stops in part of the brain, so the primary goal of stroke treatment is to restore circulation. Doctors rely on thrombolytics, which is a classification of anti-coagulant drugs. Covenant Health stroke specialists use tenecteplase (TNK), a powerful thrombolytic that effectively dissolves blood clots responsible for ischemic strokes.
For hemorrhagic strokes, emergency surgery may be necessary to stop the internal bleeding and repair the damaged blood vessels.
Get Stroke Care
If you or someone you know is showing signs of a stroke, call 911. To speak to a Covenant Health Stroke Specialist, call 865-541-4500.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the warning signs of a stroke?
What are the most common side effects of a stroke?
How long do stroke symptoms last?
What is the difference between an aneurysm and a stroke?
What is considered stroke-level blood pressure?
How long is the stroke treatment window?
What types of therapy are most common in stroke rehabilitation?
How do I access stroke care in East Tennessee?