Is stroke an emergency?

Neurosciences | Posted on 08/21/2024 by RBH

According to the World Health Organization, around 15 million people suffer strokes worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million die, and another 5 million are permanently disabled. So, if stroke can cause millions of deaths every year, it is an emergency. If you often experience any of the symptoms, book your appointment with one of the best cardiologist in Jaipur at CK Birla Hospitals.

Why is a Stroke a Medical Emergency?

A stroke is a medical emergency because it impairs blood flow to the brain and deprives brain cells of oxygen. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die in a matter of minutes, which increases the risk of death, severe brain injury, or disability. Treating the patient immediately is essential to improving blood flow, reducing brain damage and improving recovery. It is imperative to act quickly because postponing treatment can have severe outcomes.

What is a Brain Stroke?

A brain stroke also known as a stroke and a cerebrovascular accident occurs when a part of the brain loses its blood supply and the part of the body controlled by the blood-deprived brain region stops working. More commonly referred to as a brain attack, recognising the symptoms is the first step towards preventing it.

If the person suffering from a stroke is not given proper medical attention, it can lead to permanent damage and in some rather unfortunate cases, death. A stroke is an emergency because as soon as the blood supply to the brain cells is cut off, the cells are deprived of glucose and oxygen which can be catastrophic. Each second the brain cells are deprived of oxygen the brain damage increases.

Types of Stroke

Strokes are divided into two main types, each with distinct causes and effects on the body.

1. Ischemic Stroke: In this type of stroke, part of the brain loses its blood supply, similar to a heart attack but in the brain. It happens when a blood vessel is blocked by a clot that can travel from anywhere in the body to the brain. High cholesterol or a lot of plaque in the blood increases the risk of an ischemic stroke. According to data collected over the years, 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: In a hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding occurs within the brain. It happens when a blood vessel inside the brain ruptures. As a result, blood seeps into brain tissues and damages the cells. High blood pressure and brain aneurysms are the leading causes of brain stroke.

Causes of Brain Stroke

The major causes of a stroke are a blood clot or an aneurysm. These two can be a direct result of several things. Let us have a look at the different causes of aneurysms and clots.

1. Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a common condition among adults, which is the force of blood pressing against your arteries. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to work, which can cause serious damage to your arteries.
2. Atrial Fibrillation: A-fib is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, etc. One should pay attention to diet, take medicines as prescribed by the doctor and make necessary lifestyle changes to prevent the symptoms from worsening.
3. Uncontrolled Diabetes: Diabetes is caused by a deficiency of insulin released by the pancreas or an inappropriate reaction of the body towards the released insulin. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease which in turn increases the risk of strokes.
4. High Cholesterol: Having high cholesterol considerably increases one’s chances of suffering from a stroke. High cholesterol leads to fatty deposits on the artery walls, making them stiff and prone to blood clot formation.
5. Smoking: Smoking releases carbon monoxide and nicotine into your bloodstream. Haemoglobin having a higher affinity to carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen content and nicotine increases blood pressure. Apart from being a risk factor for strokes, smoking causes a lot of damage to our lungs and often leads to cancer.
6. Obesity: Smoking increases the chances of lung cancer, similarly, obesity increases the chance of stroke. The fatty deposits pose problems in blood flow and increase blood pressure, therefore, making the person vulnerable to blood clot formation, which as we discussed earlier is the leading cause of a stroke.

Apart from all this, hardening of the carotid (arteries in the neck), is a major risk factor for stroke as this is responsible for supplying blood to the brain. Blockages in the carotid can lead to clot formation and inevitably, a stroke.

Brain Stroke Symptoms

A stroke is a medical emergency and knowing its symptoms helps treat it timely. The following are the symptoms:

• Difficulty with balance and vertigo
• Difficulty in speech
• Numbness in one half or other parts of the body
• Partial vision or double vision
• Acute changes in consciousness
• The onset of weakness or paralysis

You can prevent stroke by making simple lifestyle changes like exercise, physical activity, yoga and taking care of your diet. Most of the causes of a stroke are similar to causes of heart diseases therefore by taking good care of your heart, diet and weight, we can lead a stroke-free life.

Treatment For Brain Stroke

Immediate treatment is crucial to reduce the damage and improve the chances of recovery. The treatment for brain stroke involves the following steps:

1. Emergency Care: Since time is critical in a stroke, the first step is to get emergency medical help quickly. The faster you get treatment, the better the outcome.
2. Medication: If a blood clot leads to a stroke, the doctor may use clot-busting drugs like Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) to dissolve the clot. This medication is most effective if taken within 4-5 hours of the stroke’s onset.
3. Surgery: In some cases, the doctor may use surgery to remove a blood clot or repair a burst blood vessel. The doctor may perform procedures like thrombectomy to physically remove the clot.
4. Rehabilitation: After the immediate treatment, rehabilitation is essential for the patient. This may include physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy to help the patient regain lost abilities.

Also, it's critical to control risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol with medicine, food, exercise and stopping smoking to avoid further strokes. Remember, quick action can save lives and improve recovery.

FAQ

How to prevent brain stroke?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, manage blood pressure, control diabetes, avoid smoking and exercise regularly.

Is brain stroke dangerous?

Yes, brain stroke is dangerous and can cause brain damage, disability or death if not treated quickly.

How to recover from brain stroke?

Recovery involves rehabilitation therapies, medications, healthy lifestyle changes, and ongoing medical care to regain lost abilities.