What is Stroke? A stroke is a medical emergency and a sudden interruption of normal blood flow to the cerebrospinal fluid, which is a network of nerves that supplies motor and sensory function in the body. A stroke takes place when a blood clot or a small hole in a blood vessel inside the brain happens unexpectedly.
This could happen as the result of a trauma, such as a road accident, certain diseases, or as a result of something such as a disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. Stroke affects about four million Americans each year.
Stroke is often classed as a type of “myocardial infarction” (heart attack) because it causes irreversible damage to the myocardium. It is also known as “ischemia” because it is the lack of enough oxygen to the cerebral cortex. This can be caused by either a blockage in the blood vessel or a narrowing or a ruptured artery. Another common misconception is that stroke is only the outcome of one event. This is totally untrue! Even a minor incident can cause irreparable damage and therefore, a stroke should be given more consideration than a major event.
Stroke occurs in people of all ages and both sexes, but their risk factors differ. The main risk factor for men is high blood pressure. The main risk factors for women are high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein. If you smoke, your chances of having a stroke are increased threefold. Furthermore, if you have high blood pressure or have suffered from high blood cholesterol in the past, you increase your risk even more. Strokes can strike anyone at any age, although they are most common in people over the age of 65.
Symptoms of stroke are quite similar to those of a heart attack. They include weakness, dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness, choking or breathing difficulty, convulsions, loss of consciousness and even death. Many people often mistake these symptoms for the symptoms of a minor medical emergency, such as a stiff neck or headaches. If you have any of these symptoms, you should go to a hospital immediately and then seek medical attention yourself as soon as possible. You do not necessarily need to seek medical treatment right away, but you do need to get help, and you need it as quickly as possible. If left untreated, a stroke can cause permanent brain damage that will affect your ability to regain your normal functions.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is reduced. Without adequate blood flow, the brain cells die. This results in permanent loss of brain function and death of brain cells. A stroke can occur without a cause, but is more likely to occur due to something such as alcohol abuse, smoking, or high blood pressure.
There are several risk factors that are associated with a greater chance of developing a stroke, including: age, gender, race, family history, blood type, total body mass index, and whether you have existing medical conditions. Stroke develops when the blood supply to the affected area is cut off. Two types of strokes are ischemic and hemorrhagic. The most common form of stroke following is an ischemic stroke, which results from a shortage of blood to the part of the brain where oxygen is needed; hemorrhagic stroke, which results from a burst blood vessel (vascular stroke) near the heart.
A stroke can be a devastating result for those who suffer it, but there are warning signs you should be aware of. When you are exposed to an elevated risk of stroke, you need to take action. The key is to recognize the early symptoms of stroke so you can seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Symptoms of an ischemic stroke include: headache, stiff neck, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, sweating, confusion, feeling disoriented, pain in the chest or arm, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke include: headache, dizziness, fever, confusion, vomiting, swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet, difficulty breathing, feeling that something is in your throat, choking sensation, tightness in your chest, feeling like the blood is “raining on your shoulders”, sudden loss of consciousness, and feeling that you might pass out. The longer the duration and amount of time you have been suffering from one or more of these symptoms, the greater your risk for stroke. The earlier the treatment is started, the better your chance for survival.