STROKE/TIA Q&A

STROKE/TIA

A stroke (medically called a cerebrovascular accident) happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke in which there is blockage of the blood vessels, due to a blood clot linked to plaque buildup in arteries.

Hemorrhagic stroke are the other type of stroke, around 20% of all strokes. In hemorrhagic strokes there is a rupture of the blood vessels which leads to bleeding in or around the brain.

A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is often called a mini stroke where there is a temporary with symptoms that resolve quickly. Sometimes this may be a warning sign of a future stroke.

Common symptoms of stroke include motor weakness, facial droop, speech difficulty, sudden confusion, visual problems, loss of balance and sometimes associated with severe headache (hemorrhagic stroke especially).

The major modifiable risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

At the Neurology Center of Las Vegas we do a thorough work up for individuals with a stroke and concentrate on stroke prevention. The main agents were stroke prevention are anti-platelets like aspirin and blood thinners in individuals with heart problems. Some patients with strokes also have spasticity for which Dr Dixit and his team sometimes do interventions with Botox.