Home Information for Patients HOW DOES A STROKE OCCUR?

HOW DOES A STROKE OCCUR?

HOW DOES A STROKE OCCUR?

Our brain, like all other organs, is supplied with oxygen-rich arterial blood. If the brain vessels are damaged or blocked, the blood supply to part of our brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Depending on different parts of the brain affected, a person may have problems with such functions as speaking, walking, seeing, or thinking. So ischemic stroke develops. Its danger is that symptoms are gradually increasing, and prompt treatment is crucial within 3 hours after the arteries to the brain become blocked. Another type of stroke (hemorrhagic) occurs suddenly in a person against the background of high blood pressure when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, releasing blood into the space surrounding the brain (hematoma occurs). To save your life, you need to get to the hospital within an hour.

Therefore, each of us should know 5 main symptoms of a stroke:

  1. numbness of the face, arm or leg,
  2. trouble with speaking or sound perception and coordination,
  3. sudden trouble with seeing in one or both eyes,
  4. dizziness,
  5. unusually severe headache.

STROKE RISK FACTORS

  • Stress: The constant release of adrenaline and stress hormones make the nervous system exhausted, increasing heart rate and elevating blood pressure. It changes the structure of blood vessels, increases risks of blood clotting and thrombosis.
  • Smoking. Nicotine narrows blood vessels causing spasms. Carcinogenic substances in tobaccocause cholesterol deposits on blood vesselwalls andincrease chances of clot forming.
  • Alcoholabuse. Itraises blood pressure, causes chronic hypertension. If you consume too much alcohol, you belong to a risk group.
    Obesity. When a person is overweight, the workload of his/her heart is increased because the heart must pump more blood to the fat tissue. Not being able to cope with such pressure blood vessels can respond by high blood pressure.
  • Hypodynamy. A sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity cause our blood to circulate slower and brain cells can suffer from a lack of oxygen.
  • Diabetes. The high amount of glucose in blood leads to increasing fatty deposits on blood vessel walls. The higher amount of fat deposits in blood vessels is present, the higher risk of blocking arteries and stroke is there.
  • Hypercholesterolemia. A high level of “bad cholesterol” in the blood may lead to the rapid development of atherosclerosis (atherosclerotic plaque formation). This is likely to cause a blood clot forming, the harrowing and blocking of the arteries and, as a result, a stroke.

8 STEPS TO PREVENT A STROKE

  1. Control your blood pressure (taking blood pressure for people over 40 must become a routine thing). Keep your blood pressure at the level of 140/90 and lower taking emergency medications (alpha receptor stimulant drugs, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers).
  2. Take anti-platelet drugs (blood-thinners) if your doctor has prescribed them.
  3. Do ultrasound imaging of the neck vessels and ECG every half-year.
  4. Check your blood sugar and cholesterol levels regularly using a glucometer and cholesterol test strips, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.
  5. Exercise regularly, or at least walk as much as possible (3000 steps every day is sufficient to prevent hypodynamy).
  6. Quit smoking.
  7. Limit your use of alcohol.
  8. Replace fluid loss in time. Drink only pure water or unsweetened compote in small amounts. Mineral water can cause fluid retention in the body which leads to increased blood pressure.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A STROKE?

The first aid for stroke is not only important but vital. If you notice any obvious signs or symptoms of a stroke in the person around you, immediately follow these steps. The person’s chance of survival depends on them.

  1. As soon as you spot all the signs of a stroke, immediately seek medical attention and call for an ambulance. But you probably know how long it takes sometimes for an ambulance to arrive. Cerebral vascular accident is most effectively treated within the first 3 hours. So take quick actions.
  2. Ask bystanders to leave the room if the affected person is in the building. If they are on the street, ask bystanders to step aside, the access of fresh air must be ensured. Only those who can help should stay nearby.
  3. Do not move the affected person. Such action can be life-threatening for them. They should be lying where the attack occurred. Do not transfer the person to bed.
  4. Lie the person down with their head and shoulders raised (about 30 degrees upward). Ideally, they should be supported with a few pillows. Loosen any tight clothing, such as a belt, a buttoned-up shirt collar, a tie or scarf.
  5. Ensure The Entrance Of Fresh Air.
  6. If vomiting happens, turn the person’s head to the side and wipeout the vomit mass thoroughly to prevent the person from choking.
  7. There are cases when a stroke may be complicated by epileptic seizures. Moreover, they can be repeated. If it happens, place the person on his or her side, put aspoon, a comb or wand wrapped with a handkerchief in the mouth and wipe away any secretions, gently supporting the patient’s head with your hands. You should avoid pressing the person which is very important. And another important thing to remember you cannot use liquid ammonia. The consequences can be tragic such as cessation of breathing and death.
  8. Unfortunately, it may happen that the person stops breathing and his or her heart stops. If they are not breathing, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Remember that you have to hold on until the ambulance arrives. You can save the person’s life if you know what to do. So the more quickly you take all the proper actions, the more chances for the person to survive a stroke.

An appointment at

  • Consultations are held on weekdays from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 16.30.
  • Consultations held on the 8th floor of the building of the Centre in the advisory office (opposite the elevator in the lobby).
  • SI "NPTSENRH NAMS of Ukraine" - is a public institution, so the advice is free of charge
  • In most cases, patients waiting for consultation is not more than an hour. Duration of consultation on average about half an hour
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