
A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an interruption in the blood supply to the brain, resulting in brain cell death due to oxygen deprivation. It is not a communicable condition and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. However, understanding the causes and risk factors associated with strokes is crucial for prevention and early intervention. Strokes can be ischemic, resulting from blocked blood vessels, or hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding in the brain. While anyone can experience a stroke, certain medical conditions and lifestyle choices can increase the risk.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Transmissibility | Strokes are not contagious and cannot be transmitted or passed to other people |
Cause | A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts |
Risk Factors | High blood pressure, tobacco use, heart disease, diabetes, weight, exercise, medications, age, family history, gender, race |
Types | Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke" |
Symptoms | Loss of balance, loss of vision, muscle weakness, loss of speech, severe headache, seizures, coma |
Prevention | Improve lifestyle, avoid risky behaviours, manage health conditions, regular check-ups, diet and exercise |
What You'll Learn
Strokes are not contagious
Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability, particularly in older people. They require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage or death. While strokes are not contagious, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of having one. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, weight, exercise, medications, age, family history, gender, and race.
To recognise the warning signs of a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST:
- Balance: Watch for a sudden loss of balance.
- Eyes: Look for sudden loss of vision or double vision.
- Face: Ask the person to smile and look for a droop on one or both sides of the face, indicating muscle weakness or paralysis.
- Arms: Check for one-sided weakness by asking the person to raise their arms; one arm may sag or drop.
- Speech: Strokes often cause a loss of the ability to speak, or cause slurred or garbled speech.
- Time: Time is critical, so don't wait to get help.
Genetics and Stroke Risk: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When this happens, the brain is starved of the blood and oxygen it needs, causing brain cells to die. This can lead to severe, long-term disability or even death.
High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are all risk factors for stroke. High blood pressure damages arteries throughout the body, creating conditions that can make arteries burst or clog easily. Weakened or blocked arteries in the brain create a much higher risk for stroke. Most people who have had a first stroke also had high blood pressure. Therefore, managing high blood pressure is critical to reducing the risk of stroke.
Diabetes can also increase the chance of having a stroke. This is because diabetes prevents the body from processing food properly, causing glucose (sugar) to build up in the blood. Over time, high glucose levels can damage the body's blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as adults without diabetes. However, the steps taken to manage diabetes can also help lower the chances of having a stroke. This includes managing blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
Heart disease is closely linked with stroke. People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. Additionally, certain risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can also increase the risk of stroke.
Radiation and Strokes: Is There a Link?
You may want to see also
Ischemic strokes are caused by blocked blood vessels
Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the brain, impairing blood flow to part of the brain. This blockage can be caused by a blood clot or plaque debris that develops in the blood vessels inside the brain or elsewhere in the body. Ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes.
There are two types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes are caused by a blood clot that develops in the blood vessels inside the brain, usually in older persons with high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, or diabetes. Embolic strokes are caused by a blood clot or plaque debris that develops elsewhere in the body and then travels to one of the blood vessels in the brain through the bloodstream. Embolic strokes often result from heart disease or heart surgery and occur rapidly without any warning signs.
The urgent treatment for ischemic stroke is clot removal, which can be done through medication and mechanical treatments. Medication with tissue plasminogen activator, r-tPA, can be administered through an IV to dissolve the clot and improve blood flow. Mechanical treatments involve using a wire-cage device called a stent retriever to remove the clot.
Ischemic strokes can have various risk factors, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, smoking, and atrial fibrillation. It is important to identify stroke symptoms and seek immediate treatment to reduce the long-term effects and risk of recurrence.
Stroke Recovery: Step Length Asymmetry and You
You may want to see also
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain
A stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When this happens, the affected area of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so brain cells die. This, in turn, causes the part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain to malfunction.
There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes: intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when bleeding happens inside the brain tissue, specifically in the lobes, brainstem, and cerebellum. On the other hand, subarachnoid hemorrhage involves bleeding into the space between the brain and its outer covering, known as the subarachnoid space. This space is surrounded by a thin, protective layer called the arachnoid membrane.
The most common cause of hemorrhagic strokes is high blood pressure (hypertension), especially if it is left unmanaged or remains high for an extended period. Other risk factors include smoking, alcohol use disorder, high cholesterol, and migraine headaches. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing blood pressure, and seeking prompt medical attention are crucial for preventing and treating hemorrhagic strokes.
Understanding Strokes in Birds: Causes and Effects
You may want to see also
Strokes are a leading cause of disability
No, a stroke cannot be transmitted from one person to another. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or bursts/ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke), damaging or killing nerve cells in the brain. This can be due to a variety of factors, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, noninflammatory blood vessel disorders, and hematological disorders, among others. These factors are typically not transmissible from person to person.
Strokes are a leading cause of serious long-term disability, particularly in older adults. In the United States, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and disability. Every year, more than 795,000 people in the US experience a stroke, with about 610,000 of these being first or new strokes. Stroke risk increases with age, but strokes can and do occur at any age.
The impact of a stroke on an individual's functioning depends on the area of the brain affected. The brain controls various body functions, so if a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach a specific region, that part of the body may be affected and not work as it should. For example, stroke survivors over the age of 65 experience reduced mobility more than half of the time.
Additionally, stroke survivors are at risk of experiencing a second stroke, with about one in four suffering a subsequent stroke. This highlights the importance of working with a healthcare professional to develop a prevention plan and reduce the risk of recurrence.
In summary, strokes are a significant health concern, not only as a leading cause of death but also as a major contributor to long-term disability. The effects of a stroke can be debilitating and have a substantial impact on an individual's quality of life.
Lion's Mane: A Potential Post-Stroke Treatment Option
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, strokes are not contagious and cannot be passed to or caught from other people.
A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a blocked artery or bleeding in the brain, resulting in brain cells dying from a lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden loss of balance, loss of vision, muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech, severe headaches, and nausea, among others.
If someone is exhibiting symptoms of a stroke, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately. Time is of the essence in treating a stroke to prevent permanent damage or death.