Table of Contents

What is Stroke?

Stroke is a medical emergency. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance for recovery. If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops or is reduced by at least 50 percent for more than 5 minutes. This causes damage to brain cells and can lead to serious disability.

Stroke is often called a “brain attack” because it attacks the brain and can cause death or disability unless treated immediately with medications or surgery.

Stroke is a medical emergency. The sooner the stroke is recognized and treated, the better the chance of recovery.

Stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. The disruption can be caused by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). Ischemic strokes are more common than hemorrhagic strokes, but both result in death or disability if untreated.

Stroke occurs when there is a problem with the blood flow to the brain, which can result in damage to the brain. The condition can be life-threatening and requires prompt medical attention.

Stroke statistics There are around 400,000 strokes in England every year. Every 5 minutes someone in the UK has a stroke.

Stroke can cause death or disability if not treated quickly. Every minute counts – time lost is brain lost.

Every year more than 40,000 people have their first stroke before the age of 75 – this is called young onset stroke.

Causes and Treatment for Stroke?

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease and cancer. Strokes can lead to paralysis on one side of the body or problems with speaking or understanding language.

Stroke is caused by lack of blood flow to part of the brain. This usually happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). A stroke can also be caused by bleeding in or around the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage).

About 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The risk factors for having a stroke include:

Age —The risk increases as people age. The average age at which people have strokes is 75 years old. However, strokes can happen at any age and are often caused by high blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms.

Family history —If someone else in your family has had a stroke, you’re more likely to have one too.

High blood pressure —Having high blood pressure increases your risk of having a stroke. High blood pressure can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes such as losing weight if overweight and increasing exercise.

Stroke Treatment

Stroke treatment depends on what caused the stroke and whether it’s a first or a repeat event. Stroke treatment usually includes:

  • Medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels so they’re less likely to cause another stroke
  • Medicine to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytics) if you have an ischemic stroke caused by a clot blocking an artery in your brain (see Ischemic Stroke)
  • Immediate surgery if necessary

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke?

The signs and symptoms of stroke can be subtle or dramatic, but they usually happen suddenly. The signs and symptoms depend on where in your brain the stroke happens.

A stroke can affect one area of the body, or it can affect more than one area at the same time. A sudden loss of balance may be an early sign of a stroke. Some people have trouble speaking, understanding speech, or reading because of a stroke in the parts of the brain that control these things.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

  • Trouble talking
  • Trouble walking
  • Sudden weakness or numbness in face, arm or leg on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech (especially if it involves only one side of the body)

What You Can Do to Prevent Stroke?

There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to get it under control.

Quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of stroke and can contribute to heart disease, heart attack, and peripheral artery disease (blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the legs).

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help lower your risk of stroke. Exercise is also important for good health. Talk with your doctor about what kind of exercise is best for you based on your medical history and current limitations.

Limit alcohol intake if you drink at all. The more alcohol consumed per day, the higher the risk of stroke becomes. Alcohol can also cause high blood pressure when taken in excess amounts or combined with certain medications like diuretics (water pills).

Clinical Trials for Stroke?

Clinical Trials for Stroke: Phase 0 Trials

Phase 0 trials are designed to determine if a drug is safe for humans or if it has any biological activity on its own (without being given with another drug). These studies also help researchers determine how much of the drug should be given and at what dose. If a Phase 0 trial shows that a drug is safe in humans, it may move on to Phase 1 trials.

Phase 1 Trials

Phase 1 trials test the safety and side effects of medications when given at low doses over short periods of time. These studies usually include 20-80 participants who are healthy volunteers between 18-65 years old with no history of heart disease or cancer.