Spotting the Signs: Recognising the Early Symptoms of Brain Stroke

A brain stroke is a critical medical condition that can result in severe outcomes if left untreated. According to the Economic Times, India experiences approximately 185,000 strokes annually, with a stroke occurring every 40 seconds and a stroke-related death every 4 minutes. This is why recognising the early symptoms of a brain stroke becomes crucial for timely medical intervention and improved outcomes.

What is a Brain Stroke?

A brain stroke happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is either interrupted or significantly reduced, which prevents the brain tissue from receiving essential nutrients and oxygen. This interruption can lead to the death of brain cells within minutes.

Types of Brain Stroke

There are primarily three types of brain strokes: hemorrhagic, ischemic, and transient ischemic attack.

1. Ischemic Stroke

As per the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Ischemic strokes are the most common, accounting for about 85% of all cases. They occur when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. This blockage often results from the buildup of fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the blood vessels. There are two primary types of ischemic strokes:

Embolic stroke – These strokes happen when a blood clot or plaque debris forms in another part of the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain’s blood vessels.
Thrombotic stroke – This stroke occurs when a blood clot forms directly within one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke

In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, a brain blood vessel ruptures and bleeds. This bleeding deprives brain cells and tissues of oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage. Additionally, the bleeding increases pressure in the surrounding areas, causing irritation and swelling, which can worsen the damage. Hemorrhagic strokes can be classified into two categories:

Intracerebral haemorrhage: This involves bleeding from the blood vessels within the brain.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage: This involves bleeding in the subarachnoid space, which is the area between the brain and its covering membranes.

3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” involves a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain. Symptoms typically last less than five minutes, but a TIA acts as a warning for a possible future stroke.

What are the Causes of a Brain Stroke?

Some of the common causes of brain stroke include:

High blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes. It can damage and weaken blood vessels in the brain, making them prone to rupture or clogging.
Diabetes heightens the risk of stroke by causing long-term damage to blood vessels.
Using tobacco can harm blood vessels and raise the risk of clots forming.
Excess body weight contributes to diabetes, high blood pressure, and other stroke risk factors.
Atrial fibrillation and heart failure may lead to the development of blood clots within the heart, which may travel to the brain.

What are the Symptoms and Signs of Brain Stroke?

Recognising the early symptoms and signs of a brain stroke can be life-saving. Penn Medicine suggests the use of the acronym FAST to remember the most common signs:

F – Face Drooping: Check if one side of the person’s face is drooping or feels numb. Ask them to smile and see if the smile is uneven.
A – Arm Weakness: See if one arm is weak or numb. Ask the person to lift both arms and observe if one arm starts to drift downward.
S – Speech Difficulty: Listen for slurred speech or difficulty speaking. Ask them to repeat an easy phrase and notice if their speech sounds unclear or unusual.
T – Time to Call Emergency Services: Call the emergency services immediately if someone shows any of these symptoms.

According to the American Stroke Association, other symptoms of a brain stroke include:

Numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, especially on one side of the body.
Confusion, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech.
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Difficulty walking, loss of balance, dizziness, or coordination.
A severe headache with no known cause.

Symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack

TIA symptoms are similar to stroke symptoms but tend to clear up after a few minutes. Due to the brief duration of symptoms, many individuals often ignore a TIA. However, as per Penn Medicine, more than three in ten people who experience a transient ischemic attack and do not receive treatment will have a major stroke within a year.

The best way to reduce the chances of a brain stroke is to keep chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes in check through regular medical check-ups. To schedule diabetes or cholesterol test, visit Dr Lal PathLabs today.