What do you know about stroke?

Laurie Levesque, june 2022

What exactly is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden neurological deficit of vascular origin caused by an infarction or hemorrhage in the brain. This stops the flow of blood to the brain. The term “stroke” emphasizes the sudden or abrupt nature of the symptoms.

Blood flow in the brain is essential because…

The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Interrupting this supply can cause some cells to die. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.) In turn, cell death can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability, and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022) 

Is there more than one type of stroke?

Yes, there are three types of stroke.

The “Mini-stroke”

What happens in the event of a stroke?

The symptoms

The main signs and symptoms of a stroke or TIA are the same for men and women. To identify them, look for one or more of the following signs:

Face – Is it drooping? Is there a deformity of the mouth?

Arms – Can the victim raise both arms at the same time? 

Speech Impairment – Does the victim have slurred speech or difficulty with pronunciation?

Time to call 9-1-1 – Call for emergency services right away 

(Source : Fondation des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC, 2021) 

Although the FAST signs are the most common, they are not the only ones. The following signs are less common, but can also be precursors to a stroke or TIA:

• Headaches that are sudden, intense and have no apparent cause. They look like sudden migraines and are accompanied by other symptoms.
• Numbness or weakness usually located on one side of the body, but may also be located only in the face or leg.
• Vision problems that result in double or blurred vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
• Dizziness that causes sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or lack of coordination.
  

(Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2021)

In case of symptoms

1. Stop all activity, loosen clothing and place victim in a comfortable position. 
2. Cover with a warm blanket or foil. 
3. Call 9-1-1 immediately
4. Reassess vital signs regularly. 

Whether the symptoms are persistent (stroke) or disappear quickly (TIA), it is essential to follow the same procedure.  

The treatment

Stroke treatment begins when pre-hospital emergency services arrive at the home. Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical team has three goals: 

• Stabilize your condition (breathing, heart function, blood pressure, bleeding, etc.) 
• Make a diagnosis (TIA, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke) 
• Implement treatment according to the type of stroke. 

(Heart and Stroke Foundation, n.d.(c))

For ischemic stroke:

If the victim goes to the hospital within three hours of the first symptoms, he or she may get a type of medication called a thrombolytic, which breaks up clots. Those who receive this medication are more likely to make a full recovery from the stroke and are also less likely to need long-term care.

If the victim goes to the hospital after three hours, professionals may administer other medications, such as blood thinners, or perform surgery to remove the clot.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022) 

For hemorrhagic stroke:

Several treatments to stop the bleeding and save brain tissue may be given, including medications, surgery or other procedures such as: 

• Endovascular procedures: these can help repair a weak spot or break in a blood vessel. 
• Surgical treatment: If the bleeding is caused by a ruptured aneurysm, a metal clip may be placed to stop the blood loss.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022) 

The recovery

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the effects of a stroke can range from mild to severe and vary from person to person.

The severity depends on factors such as: 

– The type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic);
– The hemisphere of the brain in which the stroke occurred (left or right);
– The areas of the brain that were affected by the stroke;
– The extent of the damaged area of the brain;
– The functions of the body that are controlled by that area;
– How long the blood flow to the affected part of the brain was interrupted.
(Heart and Stroke Foundation, n.d.(a))

What are the risk factors?

Connaître ces facteurs de risques entourant l’AVC est essentiel, car cela permet de faire certains choix dans ses habitudes de vie qui aideront à les réduire. Certains de ces facteurs de risques sont malheureusement incontrôlables. Cependant, les connaître permet d’être conscient de son propre risque et d’être plus attentifs à sa santé et de surveiller les signes avant-coureurs.

Lifestyle habits

Health problems

Uncontrollable factors  

Factors specific to pregnancy 

Pregnancy and stroke may be indirectly related due to stress, weight gain, and hormonal changes that can in turn cause problems that increase the risk of stroke, such as:

Adopting good habits to put all the chances on your side

No one is immune to stroke at any age. However, there are some things you can do to help reduce your chances. Actions such as watching your diet, limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco and staying active are not recommended to keep you from getting bored. Taking care of your body and mind by adopting healthy habits can make all the difference.