Stroke

About Stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability worldwide. There are two main types: ischemic stroke approximately 87 percent caused by blocked arteries and hemorrhagic stroke approximately 13 percent caused by ruptured arteries. Transient ischemic attack TIA, sometimes called mini stroke, produces symptoms that resolve, usually within minutes to hours, and is a warning sign that needs urgent medical assessment. The FAST acronym helps recognize stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. Ischemic stroke symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side, confusion, trouble speaking, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headache. In hospital, acute ischemic stroke may be treated with intravenous thrombolysis tPA alteplase or tenecteplase, generally within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, or mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion in selected patients up to 24 hours. Stroke is a medical emergency: anyone showing these signs needs an ambulance via the local emergency number, even if the symptoms seem to pass. Time is brain, with approximately 1.9 million neurons lost per minute of untreated stroke. Prevention involves controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, smoking cessation, and antiplatelet therapy. Post stroke rehabilitation including physical, occupational, and speech therapy is critical for recovery.