Did you know that strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the US? And 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. It happens when arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain get blocked, which can make brain tissue die over time. This stroke can happen in different parts of the body and may lead to various types of blockages. It can be life-threatening if the person doesn’t get immediate medical help. Learn about ischemic stroke causes and symptoms in this article. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.

The brain region damaged determines the symptoms of an ischemic stroke. The symptoms of a stroke are often abrupt and severe as they usually happen without notice. Typical signs of a stroke could be:

You experience paralysis on one side of your body or limb weakness.

• Speech difficulties
• Vertigo and lightheadedness
• Facial or oral drooping, typically on one side.
• Decrease in coordination
• problems with vision such as double vision, fuzzy vision, or blindness in one eye.
• Headache: uncommon but occasionally occurs.

These symptoms are typically sudden and need immediate medical care to manage the condition and prevent life-threatening complications. To test or tell if someone may have a stroke, you should use the FAST method, including:

• Face: If one side of the face or mouth is drooping as they talk or smile?
• Arms: Ask them to raise both arms to see whether one arm drifts downwards or not. Do they feel one arm is weaker than the other?
• Speech: Are they struggling to complete their sentence, or are their words slurred?
• Time: If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it’s time to call your local emergency services as soon as possible. The earlier they get medical care, the better the chances of surviving the stroke.

Diagnosis

To diagnose ischemic stroke, the doctor first performs a physical exam to check your symptoms and examine your family history. Based on the result of the physical exam, the doctor may get an idea where the blockage may be located, but to confirm they perform some other tests as well, including:

• Blood sugar test: This test is performed to check your blood sugar levels. This test is performed when you have symptoms like mental confusion and slurred speech which also occur when you have severe low blood sugar.
• Imaging tests: The doctor either performs MRIs or CT scans to determine whether you are having a stroke or aneurysm.
• Blood test: A blood test is used to check the signs of infections or heart damage, clotting problems, and how well kidneys and liver function work.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This is used to check for abnormal heart rhythms.
• Echocardiography: This test is used to check your heart for clots or abnormalities.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test is used to rule out seizures or related problems.
• Angiography: This test is used to see which arteries are blocked and how severe the blockage is.

Treatment

Stroke is a life-threatening condition, so every minute counts. The first goal of treatment is to restore blood flow to the affected area of the brain. For that, the main treatment for ischemic stroke is through intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a medication that breaks up blood clots. This is very effective when given within 4 hours of the first symptoms. This treatment can’t be given if more than 5 hours have passed after the stroke starts because it may lead to bleeding. You should avoid tPA if you have a history of:

• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Bleeding in the brain
• Recent major surgery or head injury
• Anticoagulant use

If tPA doesn’t work, blood clots may be removed with surgery. The surgeon uses mechanical clot removal within 24 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms. For long-term treatments, the doctor may recommend the use of aspirin or an anticoagulant to prevent further clots.

If ischemic stroke occurs due to conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and atherosclerosis, treatment for those conditions is recommended. For example, the doctor may open an artery with a stent and prescribe statins to lower cholesterol levels. After an ischemic stroke, you become hospitalized for at least 5 days to monitor your health. If the stroke causes paralysis or severe weakness, then you may need physical rehabilitation to regain function.

Like other types of strokes, ischemic stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. Its symptoms occur suddenly and can be intense. Noticing the symptoms and calling for medical attention is the best way to save your or another person’s life. The faster medical care the person gets, the more chances of recovery increase. Most people can recover from ischemic stroke fast and get back all or most of their abilities.

If you need help with ischemic stroke or heart problems, call us to get emergency help or book an appointment with a cardiologist for professional medical treatment at our cardiology clinic.

The Cardiologists at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Heart Specialist Brooklyn are able to greatly improve their patient’s health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. You can reach us at +1(347) 384-5690 to schedule a consultation.