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Stroke is the second global cause of death. It can be happened due to the blockage in one of the brain arteries, which prevents blood supply to the brain tissue. About 87% of strokes are ischemic strokes. The main cause of ischemic stroke is the narrowing in the arteries. There are two types of ischemic stroke, the first one is an embolic stroke, which is a clot created outside the brain and transfer from the body to the brain by the bloodstream. The second one is the thrombotic stroke that develops inside one of the arteries directly supplying the brain [5].
Symptoms:
A major ischemic stroke happens quickly, it is critical and fatal. The most common signs are: limb weakness, face drooping, speech problems, unbalanced walking, headache, double vision and dizziness.
Risk factors:
This type of stroke could happen in any age however is more common in older ages. A person how has a family history of cardiovascular incident has a higher risk to be victim of ischemic stroke. Another risk indicator including lifestyle factors for examples stress, smoking, fat rich food and alcohol. In addition, health problems such as cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Treatment and prevention:
Acute response and immediate specialized care helps to reduce the stroke complications and save the patient’s life. The patient may need injection with plasminogen activators to dissolve the clot or may need a minimally invasive procedure to extract the clot. To prevent those at risk from stroke a medical flow-up of risk factors helps to control reduce cerebrovascular events. In addition, a healthy lifestyle plays a major role in reducing the risk of different types of stoke.
References:
1. http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/ischemic-stroke/
2. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1916852-overview
3. https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Ischemic-Stroke.aspx
4. Powers WJ, et al. (2018). 2018 guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318098.php
Written by Burhan Fakhurji.
