Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the US, with one person dying every 4 minutes as a result.
Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year; about one every 4 seconds. Only heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases are more deadly.1-3
Strokes occur due to problems with the blood supply to the brain; either the blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel within the brain ruptures. A stroke is a medical emergency, and treatment must be sought as quickly as possible.
There are three main kinds of stroke:
There are three main kinds of stroke; ischemic, hemorrhagic and TIA. This article will focus on ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as there is a separate Knowledge Center article for TIAs, which goes into specific detail about them.
In the US, approximately 40% of stroke deaths are in males, with 60% in females. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), in 2006, the stroke death rates per 100,00 population could be split into specific social groups at 41.7% for white males, 41.1% for white females, 67.7% for black males and 57.0% for black females.3
Stroke is also more likely to affect people if they are overweight, aged 55 or older, have a personal or family history of stroke, do not exercise much, drink heavily or use illicit drugs.5
These blockages are often caused by blood clots, which can form either in the arteries connecting to the brain, or further away before being swept through the bloodstream and into narrower arteries within the brain. Clots can be caused by fatty deposits within the arteries called plaque.
The ruptures can be caused by conditions such as hypertension, trauma, blood-thinning medications and aneurysms (weaknesses in blood vessel walls).
TIAs should be regarded as medical emergencies just like the other kinds of stroke, even if the blockage of the artery is temporary. They serve as warning signs for future strokes and indicate that there is a partially blocked artery or clot source in the heart.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a third of people who experience a TIA go on to have a major stroke within a year if they have not received any treatment. Between 10-15% will have a major stroke within 3 months.
The main symptoms of stroke are as follows:
On the next page we look at how to diagnose a stroke, plus the treatment options and how strokes can be prevented.
Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year; about one every 4 seconds. Only heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases are more deadly.1-3
Strokes occur due to problems with the blood supply to the brain; either the blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel within the brain ruptures. A stroke is a medical emergency, and treatment must be sought as quickly as possible.
There are three main kinds of stroke:
- Ischemic strokes
- Hemorrhagic strokes
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also referred to as mini-strokes
Contents of this article:
You
will also see introductions at the end of some sections to any recent
developments that have been covered by MNT's news stories. Also look out
for links to information about related conditions.
Fast facts on stroke
Here are some key points about stroke. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
Here are some key points about stroke. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
- During a stroke, the brain does not receive enough oxygen or nutrients, causing brain cells to die.
- There are three main kinds of stroke: ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes and transient ischemic attacks.
- Ischemic strokes are caused by a narrowing or blocking of arteries to the brain.
- Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by blood vessels in and around the brain bursting or leaking.
- Strokes need to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible in order to minimize brain damage.
- Remembering the F.A.S.T. acronym can help with recognizing the onset of stroke.
- Treatment depends on the type of stroke.
- Ischemic strokes can be treated with 'clot-busting' drugs.
- Hemorrhagic strokes can be treated with surgery to repair or block blood vessel weaknesses.
- The most effective way to prevent strokes is through maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
What is stroke?4
Stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is either interrupted or reduced. When this happens, the brain does not get enough oxygen or nutrients which causes brain cells to die.There are three main kinds of stroke; ischemic, hemorrhagic and TIA. This article will focus on ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as there is a separate Knowledge Center article for TIAs, which goes into specific detail about them.
In the US, approximately 40% of stroke deaths are in males, with 60% in females. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), in 2006, the stroke death rates per 100,00 population could be split into specific social groups at 41.7% for white males, 41.1% for white females, 67.7% for black males and 57.0% for black females.3
Stroke is also more likely to affect people if they are overweight, aged 55 or older, have a personal or family history of stroke, do not exercise much, drink heavily or use illicit drugs.5
What causes stroke?
The different forms of stroke have different specific causes.Ischemic strokes4
Ischemic strokes are the most common form of stroke, with around 85% of strokes being of this type. They are caused by the arteries that connect to the brain becoming blocked or narrowed, resulting in ischemia - severely reduced blood flow.These blockages are often caused by blood clots, which can form either in the arteries connecting to the brain, or further away before being swept through the bloodstream and into narrower arteries within the brain. Clots can be caused by fatty deposits within the arteries called plaque.
Hemorrhagic strokes4,6
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open. The hemorrhaged blood puts pressure on brain cells and damages them. Blood vessels can burst or spill blood in the middle of the brain or near the surface of the brain, sending blood into the space between the brain and the skull.The ruptures can be caused by conditions such as hypertension, trauma, blood-thinning medications and aneurysms (weaknesses in blood vessel walls).
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)4,6
TIAs are different from the aforementioned kinds of stroke because the flow of blood to the brain is only disrupted temporarily for a short time. They are similar to ischemic strokes in that they are often caused by blood clots or other debris.TIAs should be regarded as medical emergencies just like the other kinds of stroke, even if the blockage of the artery is temporary. They serve as warning signs for future strokes and indicate that there is a partially blocked artery or clot source in the heart.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a third of people who experience a TIA go on to have a major stroke within a year if they have not received any treatment. Between 10-15% will have a major stroke within 3 months.
Recent developments on stroke causes from MNT news
Psychological stress 'increases risk of stroke'
Depressive symptoms in particular, but also chronic stress in life, increase the risk of older people having a stroke or transient ischemic attack, says researchers, who found feelings of hostility, but not anger, were also a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease.
Heavy drinking in midlife increases stroke risk 'more than diabetes'
It is well known that high blood pressure and diabetes can raise the risk of stroke. But a new twin study finds that, for middle-aged individuals, there may be one factor that increases this risk even more: heavy alcohol consumption.
Poor thinking skills linked to greater risk of heart attack, stroke
Individuals with poor executive function - a set of thinking skills related to planning, problem-solving and reasoning - may be at greater risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.
Longer working hours linked to greater stroke risk
Workaholics may be jeopardizing their health after a new study reveals working 55 hours or more per week may lead to 33% greater risk of stroke.
Psychological stress 'increases risk of stroke'
Depressive symptoms in particular, but also chronic stress in life, increase the risk of older people having a stroke or transient ischemic attack, says researchers, who found feelings of hostility, but not anger, were also a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease.
Heavy drinking in midlife increases stroke risk 'more than diabetes'
It is well known that high blood pressure and diabetes can raise the risk of stroke. But a new twin study finds that, for middle-aged individuals, there may be one factor that increases this risk even more: heavy alcohol consumption.
Poor thinking skills linked to greater risk of heart attack, stroke
Individuals with poor executive function - a set of thinking skills related to planning, problem-solving and reasoning - may be at greater risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.
Longer working hours linked to greater stroke risk
Workaholics may be jeopardizing their health after a new study reveals working 55 hours or more per week may lead to 33% greater risk of stroke.
Signs and symptoms of stroke7-9
Strokes occur quickly, and as such their symptoms often appear suddenly without warning.The main symptoms of stroke are as follows:
- Confusion, including trouble with speaking and understanding
- Headache, possibly with altered consciousness or vomiting
- Numbness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body
- Trouble with seeing, in one or both eyes
- Trouble with walking, including dizziness and lack of co-ordination.
- Bladder or bowel control problems
- Depression
- Pain in the hands and feet that gets worse with movement and temperature changes
- Paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body
- Trouble controlling or expressing emotions.
On the next page we look at how to diagnose a stroke, plus the treatment options and how strokes can be prevented.
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