What is Ischemic Stroke?

Ischemic stroke is defined as the sudden onset of characteristic neurologic defects such as arm, leg, or facial weakness, numbness, inability to talk, garbled speech, or changes in vision due to the blockage of an artery in the brain by a blood clot or foreign material. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States. There is another type of stroke, known as hemorrhagic stroke, that is caused by bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured artery.

Risk factors for Brain Ischemia include:

  • High blood pressure

  • Tobacco abuse

  • High cholesterol

  • Diabetes

  • Valvular heart disease

  • Carotid artery disease

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Obesity

CT scan of the brain is performed very early to help determine eligibility for clot busters that are important in the early treatment of brain ischemia.

How to Diagnose Cerebrovascular Accident?

It is often diagnosed after someone presents to a healthcare provider or emergency department with classic symptoms that include weakness, numbness, facial droop, speech difficulty, and changes in vision. Anyone displaying characteristic signs and symptoms of stroke require rapid evaluation and treatment that includes a CT scan of the brain to detect evidence of stroke. There are relatively high complication and death rates associated with this medical condition. Complications can result in temporary or permanent disability, so early initiation of stroke treatment is required. A Neurologist must be involved in the care very early on.

  1. Early testing
    Special tests that may be ordered for evaluation when stroke is suspected include a CT scan of the brain to ensure the stroke is not due to bleeding, or hemorrhagic stroke. CT scan of the brain is performed very early to help determine eligibility for clot busters that are important in the early treatment of cerebral ischemia. These drugs cannot be used if there is evidence of bleeding in the brain.

  2. Late testing
    A Neurologist’s evaluation of this specific type of cerebrovascular accident will typically include an MRI of the brain to determine the exact area of the brain affected by the stroke. Additional testing is ordered to evaluate for the cause as clot and debris can originate from locations other than the brain. Echocardiography is performed to evaluate for blood clots in the heart and defects that would allow debris to reach the brain, carotid ultrasound, or ultrasound of the neck arteries, is performed to evaluate for significant blockage that could cause stroke, and blood testing to evaluate for excessive clotting may be required