Emory Stroke Center FAQs
- What causes a stroke?
- How do I evaluate my risk for a stroke?
- Are there some types of people who are more at risk than others?
- What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- Are there different types of stroke?
- What should I do if I think someone is having a stroke?
- Do victims of a stroke ever return to 'normal' after suffering a stroke?
- What kind of rehabilitation is available for stroke victims?
- Can I receive the same treatment for stroke at any hospital?
What causes a stroke?
Strokes are sometimes called 'Brain Attacks' because they often occur suddenly and result in loss of blood flow in the brain's vessels and arteries, or bleeding into the brain that causes cells to die. Strokes can be broadly divided into Ischemic and Hemorrhagic types. Approximately 80% of strokes are ischemic, meaning a deficiency or lack of blood flow to a particular part of the brain. The brain depends upon a constant supply of well-oxygenated blood and, if that supply is interrupted by an occlusion of the brain or a clot, brain cells immediately begin to dysfunction and rapidly die. The area of dead cells is called an infarction. When infracted cells die, a domino effect of biochemical reactions can cause a larger area of brain cells to die. Urgent treatment within hours of the onset of stroke may stop or control this reaction.
Hemorrhagic stroke, which accounts for about 20% of strokes, involves bleeding into the brain or the space around the brain. This may occur from brain aneurysms, abnormal tangles of blood vessels within the brain or the damaging effects of long-standing high blood pressure. As with ischemic stroke, the initial hemorrhage may cause injury that progresses over time if urgent treatment is not provided. That is why it is imperative to seek help immediate if you or someone you know is having a stroke.
How do I evaluate my risk for a stroke?
While hereditary risks or factors play a role in the risk of stroke, there are many things you can to do help reduce your risk. Smoking, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can all greatly increase your risk for a stroke. Risk for stroke provides one more compelling reason to quit smoking. In addition, high cholesterol, which is another risk factor for stroke, can be controlled by diet and exercise. Diabetes can be controlled by proper medical management.
Are there some types of people who are more at risk than others?
The risk of stroke increases with age, with people over 70 at the greatest risk.
However, people of all ages can have a stroke. Men are at a slightly greater risk for stroke, but since women in the United States live longer on average than men, there are more female stroke survivors. Women tend to have strokes at earlier ages than men (in their 40s and 50s) and are more likely to die from a stroke. Strokes are the 2nd leading cause of death among women. African-Americans are three to five times more likely to have a stroke, and people with diabetes and heart disease also have a greater risk.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Forward of the symptoms of a stroke, there may be a sudden onset of the "worst headache of my life." The following are some of the symptoms of a stroke. They can occur together or only one or two symptoms may occur:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden difficulty seeing or loss of vision
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, imbalance
- Sudden severe, unexplainable headache
These symptoms may be mild or severe in nature and may be temporary or permanent. If they are temporary(i.e. typically lasting 5-15 minutes), the episodes are referred to as Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs). TIAs are important warning signs of a possible impending stroke and require urgent evaluation.
Are there different types of stroke?
There are two major kinds of stroke. An ischemic stroke is one that is caused by an artery or blood vessel that is clogged. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel or artery bursts and leaks into the brain.
What should I do if I think someone is having a stroke?
A stroke should be treated as a medical emergency, similar to a heart attack.
It is very important to remain calm but react quickly to someone you suspect is having a stroke. The longer you wait, the more likely that further damage to the brain will occur. You should immediately call 911 or an emergency service. Even if the person appears to 'recover,' do not hesitate to call for help. Brain damage can continue to occur for several hours after an attack, so early help can also minimize damage.
Do victims of a stroke ever return to 'normal' after suffering a stroke?
A stroke kills brain cells and the impairments from a stroke are directly related to the area of the brain that was damaged and the size of the stroke, (the amount of damage). People who suffer a minor stroke may only have slight impairments, such as a weak arm or leg. However, a massive stroke can cause a person to lose the ability to read, write or speak. It can also cause paralysis. However, with rehabilitation therapy, about 10% recover almost totally and another 25% recover with slight impairments.
One particular type of stroke that is caused from the rupture of a brain aneurysm can be prevented by detecting the aneurysm before it is bled. If a patient survives rupture of a brain aneurysm, there is a very high risk that the aneurysm will bleed again and urgent treatment is required.
What kind of rehabilitation is available for stroke victims?
Rehabilitation is a critical aspect of stroke care. The Emory MBNA Stroke Center offers patients the most comprehensive stroke care in the southeast. Our rehabilitation program includes speech therapy, h2>therapy and occupational therapy, with rehabilitative physicians and staff who specialize in helping stroke patients regain their independence.
Can I receive the same treatment for stroke at any hospital?
Many hospitals and medical centers are not "stroke-ready" and may lack diagnostic and therapeutic services that are currently available for stroke victims. The Emory MBNA Stroke Center has access to all modern diagnostic and imaging equipment as well as new therapeutic options to offers patients with strokes of all types. In addition, there are now well-established volume-outcome relationships for many procedures, including surgical and endovascular procedures for certain types of stroke. In other words, those institutions with the highest volume have the best outcomes. The multidisciplinary approach used by The Emory MBNA Stroke Center provides its participants to become experts in their fields. For example, Emory treats more brain aneurysms and vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord than any institution in the region. It has among the highest volumes in the country. Finally, Emory has the only neurocritical care unit staffed by fully trained neurointensivists to provide the continuum of care needed for critically ill patients with cerebrovascular disorders.
