Stroke Prevention
What it is?
A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It can either be due to reduced blood supply (ischemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). 80-90% of strokes are ischemic. While a significant number of ischemic strokes are cryptogenic (no cause found), in many cases a possible cause can be found. Treating the underlying cause can prevent a stroke. A build up of plaque in the carotid arteries of the neck is one such cause. This can be treated by a vascular surgeon.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of a stroke include abnormal speech, facial weakness, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg. It can also cause problems in the visual field with "blacking out" of a part of the field. A major stroke is often preceded by attacks of the above symptoms lasting for a short duration before getting better. Hence, it is important to recognize symptoms and seek help early.
How is it diagnosed?
A stroke is diagnosed on clinical suspicion and confirmed with a brain scan like a CT or MRI scan. A plaque in the carotid artery can sometimes be suspected on clinical examination with a stethoscope. An ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries is a good test to identify the presence of a plaque. Sometimes a CT angiogram is also requested prior to an intervention.
How is it treated?
Managing risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are extremely important. If a carotid plaque is deemed responsible for symptoms, surgical removal of the plaque can be done to prevent a stroke. This operation is called a Carotid Endarterectomy. If a plaque in the carotid artery is identified in the absence of symptoms, then the role of surgery is diminished but can still be considered. Carotid artery stenting is an alternative to surgery but carries a higher risk of a stroke from the procedure.
A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It can either be due to reduced blood supply (ischemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). 80-90% of strokes are ischemic. While a significant number of ischemic strokes are cryptogenic (no cause found), in many cases a possible cause can be found. Treating the underlying cause can prevent a stroke. A build up of plaque in the carotid arteries of the neck is one such cause. This can be treated by a vascular surgeon.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of a stroke include abnormal speech, facial weakness, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg. It can also cause problems in the visual field with "blacking out" of a part of the field. A major stroke is often preceded by attacks of the above symptoms lasting for a short duration before getting better. Hence, it is important to recognize symptoms and seek help early.
How is it diagnosed?
A stroke is diagnosed on clinical suspicion and confirmed with a brain scan like a CT or MRI scan. A plaque in the carotid artery can sometimes be suspected on clinical examination with a stethoscope. An ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries is a good test to identify the presence of a plaque. Sometimes a CT angiogram is also requested prior to an intervention.
How is it treated?
Managing risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are extremely important. If a carotid plaque is deemed responsible for symptoms, surgical removal of the plaque can be done to prevent a stroke. This operation is called a Carotid Endarterectomy. If a plaque in the carotid artery is identified in the absence of symptoms, then the role of surgery is diminished but can still be considered. Carotid artery stenting is an alternative to surgery but carries a higher risk of a stroke from the procedure.