There are two main types of stroke – one caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain causing injury to areas of the brain and one caused by bleeding in the brain. Both are medical emergencies, and early treatment is critical for reducing injury and other complications.
A transient ischemic attack (“TIA”) occurs when stroke symptoms are temporary and there is no permanent injury to the brain. It may be caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to parts of the brain that subsequently resolves.
Common Symptoms
- Difficulty with speaking or understanding
- Slurred speech
- Weakness in the face, arm, or leg, usually affecting only one side of the body
- Difficulty with walking
- Loss of field of vision on one side or double vision
- Constant dizziness
- Severe headache
The common symptoms of stroke can be remembered via “F.A.S.T.”:
- Face drooping – Is the person’s face droopy or numb on one side? Ask the person to smile – is the smile uneven or lopsided?
- Arm weakness – Is one arm numb or weak? Ask the person to lift up both arms to see if one side drifts down.
- Speech difficulty – Is the person able to speak clearly? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase to see if the speech is slurred or nonsensical.
- Time to call 9-1-1 – With any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1. Do not wait to see if the symptoms resolve. Every minute counts when treating a stroke.
More information can be found at https://www.stroke.org/
Diagnostics
Neuroimaging
Prevention
Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, and smoking. Reduction of these risk factors may require lifestyle modifications such as healthier diets and exercise, as well as medications. Individuals with other risk factors such as atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythms) may also be advised to take specific medications by their physicians.
Treatment
Individuals who arrive to the hospital early enough after starting to experience stroke symptoms may receive a medication that can reduce the chance of further brain injury. Stroke specialists can also perform a procedure to retrieve a clot in one of the vessels in the brain to restore blood flow and prevent further injury.
Our Program
The Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Boston Medical Center offers a full spectrum of clinical and academic services to provide the latest treatment for patients with brain, carotid and spinal vascular diseases. We are a multidisciplinary group comprised of board-certified stroke neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, and cerebrovascular neurosurgeons. We are a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certified by the Joint Commission. We evaluate patients both in the outpatient and inpatient settings with 24/7 hospital coverage.