Partial Seizures : Risk Factors

The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of stroke and was adapted from materials published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow.

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." See also: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM; Hemorrhagic stroke; Stroke secondary to carotid dissection (bleeding from the carotid arteries; Stroke secondary to carotid stenosis (narrowing of the carotid arteries; Stroke secondary to cocaine use; Stroke secondary to FMD (fibromuscular dysplasia; Stroke secondary to syphilis.

Symptoms of a StrokeDuring a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of the brain. This can damage areas in the brain that control the rest of the body.

Stroke is an increasing public health concern throughout the world as the leading cause of long-term disability. There is estimated to be over 3.5 million survivors of stroke in the United States.

A stroke is an interruption of blood circulation to the brain causing a neurologic deficit reflecting the area of the brain affected. Stroke can be ischemic or hemorrhagic. 1 Ischemic stroke is most prevalent.

A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow.

This report provides current information about stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Detailed information on a stroke's effects on different portions of the brain

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including how to respond in a stroke emergency

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including how to respond in a stroke emergency

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information

There are various clinical and pathological subtypes of stroke, and identification of the subtype is necessary for correct management. Investigations Imaging Brain imaging should be performed within the first 48 hours of the onset of stroke (see below), to determine whether the stroke is haemorrhagic or ischaemic and to exclude other causes (e.g. tumour).

Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the third leading cause of death (after heart disease and cancer) in the United States and the industrialized countries of the world. The term "stroke," which comes from subjects being suddenly "struck down" with neurological deficits, is commonly used by both professional and lay groups. Efforts are being made to replace the term with "brain attack" to dramatize its analogous effects to a "heart attack," the term used for myocardial infarction. The term "cerebrovascular accident" is used interchangeably with stroke ("accident" indicates the catastrophic nature of strokes, not a traumatic origin as the term implies). More than 600,000 strokes occur annually in the United States, according to the American Heart Association, and stroke prevalence (number of living stroke victims) is approximately 4.5 million with an annual cost in 1997, both direct and indirect, of over $40 billion. Stroke refers to the usually sudden onset of a neurological deficit, such as hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), or aphasia (impairment of language comprehension and production), which can be attributed to either the occlusion or rupture of a cerebral vessel. Resulting specific neurological symptoms and signs are determined by the area of the brain that is affected, and since the complex functions of the brain are either localized in specialized areas or diffusely distributed, stroke symptoms may similarly be localized or generalized in nature. For example, the long pathway of motor fibers can be interrupted, with resulting hemiparesis involving various cerebral arteries or their branches, such as the anterior, middle, or vertebrobasilar arteries. Occlusion of smaller arterioles which feed smaller areas of brain may result in more isolated effects, such as pure sensory or motor hemiparesis. On the other hand, occlusion or rupture of vessels in "silent" areas of the brain, as in the frontal or parietal cortex, can lead to subtle nonfocal symptoms reflected in impaired cognition, executive function, or memory. Other symptoms of impaired specialized brain functions from strokes include apraxia (impairment in the execution of motor actions), and agnosia (loss of ability to recognize familiar objects). Leukoaraiosis, or increased T2-signal intensity, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain white matter results predominantly from small-vessel disease, and this syndrome is associated with increased risks for strokes and dementia.

Detailed information on a stroke's effects on different portions of the brain

Getting your life back after having a stroke can be hard work and a slow process. But it's important to know that in most cases, you can do it.

Women who are obese or who have gained more than 44 pounds since they were 18 years old are about two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than lean women who have not gained a lot of weight.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for what is commonly termed a stroke. It refers to the injury to the brain that occurs when flow of blood to brain tissue is interrupted by a clogged or ruptured artery, causing brain tissue to die because of lack of nutrients and oxygen.

Detailed information on the history of stroke, also called brain attack

A ministroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a brief episode of stroke symptoms caused by temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Most people suffer TIAs without realizing it.

Stroke may cause physical and mental difficulties. But the good news is that you can recoup some or all of your previous abilities.

More women than men are victims of stroke, and the consequences for survivors are more serious in women. Medication to dissolve blood clots is available, but must be administered within the first three hours after a stroke to be most effective.

Detailed information on the history of stroke, also called brain attack

A stroke, also called a cerebral infarction, is a life-threatening condition marked by a sudden disruption in the blood supply to the brain.

Strokes often result in long-term health problems, and sometimes death. But there are steps you can take to help prevent them.

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including types of stroke

For Caregivers: Preparing for Home Care After StrokeWhen your loved one returns home, you’ll both need time to adjust. You and the patient will have to transfer the skills learned in rehab to a new location.

The habits and behaviors of a healthy lifestyle can also reduce the risk of stroke: don't smoke, exercise, keep cholesterol and blood presure as low as possible, and eat a healthy diet.

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including types of stroke

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke diagnosis

A stroke is a medical emergency. That’s why some doctors call strokes “brain attacks.”

A stroke, also called a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is the sudden death of cells in a specific area of the brain due to inadequate blood flow.

Medication to control high blood pressure only works if you take it.

Carotid Artery Problems: StrokeThe carotid arteries are large blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. When these arteries are healthy, the brain gets all the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well.

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including signs and symptoms of stroke emergency

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke diagnosis

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke treatment

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including risk factors for stroke

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including signs and symptoms of stroke emergency

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke treatment

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including risk factors for stroke

I have a deep muscle massage every month or so. After my sister had a stroke, I started worrying that my massages could loosen any plaque in my carotid arteries, which could make me have a stroke. Could this happen?

Stroke is the common name for the injury to the brain that occurs when the flow of blood to brain tissue is interrupted by a clogged or burst artery. Arterial blood carries oxygen and nutrition to the cells of the body. When arteries are unable to carry out this function due to rupture, constriction, or obstruction, the cells nourished by these arteries die. The medical term for stroke is the acronym CVA, or cerebral vascular accident. It is estimated that four of every five families in the United States will be affected by stroke in their lifetime, and it is the top cause of adult disability worldwide. Stroke is ranked third in the leading causes of death in the United States, has left three million Americans permanently disabled, and costs the United States 30 billion dollars each year in terms of health care costs and lost productivity. The most common type of stroke is classified as ischemic , or occurring because the blood supply to a portion of the brain has been cut off. Ischemic strokes account for approximately 80% of all strokes, and can be further broken down into two subtypes: thrombotic, also called cerebral thrombosis; and embolic, termed cerebral embolism. Thrombotic strokes are by far the more prevalent, and can be seen in nearly all aging populations worldwide. As people grow older, atherosclerosis , or hardening of the arteries, occurs. This results in a buildup of a waxy cholesterol-laden substance in the arteries, which eventually narrows the interior space, or lumen, of the artery. This arterial narrowing occurs in all parts of the body, including the brain. As the process continues, the occlusion, or shutting off of the artery, eventually becomes complete, so that no blood supply can pass through. Usually the presentation of the symptoms of a thrombotic stroke are much more gradual and less dramatic than that of other strokes due to the slow ongoing process that produces it. Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are one form of thrombotic stroke, and usually the least serious. TIAs represent the blockage of a very small artery or arteriole, or the intermittent or temporary obstruction of a larger artery. This blockage affects only a small portion of brain tissue and does not leave noticeable permanent ill effects. These transient ischemic attacks last only a matter of minutes, but are a forewarning that part of the brain is not receiving its necessary supply of blood, and thus oxygen and nutrition. Thrombotic strokes account for 40-50% of all strokes. Embolic strokes are more acute and rapid in onset. They take place when the heart's rhythm is changed for a number of different reasons, and blood clot formation occurs. This blood clot can move through the circulatory system until it blocks a blood vessel and stops the blood supply to cells in a specific portion of the body. If it occludes an artery that nourishes heart muscle, it causes myocardial infarction, or heart attack . If it blocks off a vessel that feeds brain tissue, it is termed an embolic stroke. Embolisms account for 25-30% percent of all strokes. Normally these blockages occur in the brain itself when arteries directly feeding portions of brain tissue are blocked by a clot. But occasionally the obstruction is found in the arteries of the neck, especially the carotid artery. Approximately 20% of cerebral vascular accidents are termed hemorrhagic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when an artery to the brain has a weakness and balloons outward, producing what is called an aneurysm. Such aneurysms often rupture due to this inflation and thinning of the arterial wall, causing a hemorrhage in the affected portion of the brain. Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes display similar symptoms, depending on which portion of the brain is cut off from its supply of oxygen and nourishment. The brain is divided into left and right hemispheres. These hemispheres are responsible for bodily movement on the opposite side of the body from the brain hemisphere. F

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke rehabilitation

Ultrasound carotid screening for stroke risk is being promoted as a simple detection tool, but the test does not always identify those at risk, and some doctors feel that treating the factors that contribute to risk is more beneficial to overall health.

Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke rehabilitation

Strokes occur when something interferes with the normal flow of blood to the central nervous system. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.

A tiny wire curlicue that can snare blood clots may help more people get emergency treatment for a stroke.

A new study suggests an aspirin before bed may lower blood pressure while protecting against heart attack and stroke.

After a stroke, the body can often recover some functions on its own if medical care is received promptly, but many people also need some form of rehabilatation program or physical, speech, or occupational therapy.

An explanation of the two-way relationship between depression and stroke. Depressed people are at higher risk for a stroke, but depression often precedes as well as follows a stroke.

The complex relationship between cholesterol and the brain affects many areas, including possible connections to depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Women's Health Study, released in March 2005, provides surprising new information about the health benefits of aspirin for women.

My father had a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. He's aware of what's going on and can talk some, but he has severe spasticity in his left elbow, shoulder, and hand, along with muscle atrophy. Would Botox injections help his painful spasms?

This article discusses the drug Plavix: what it does; who needs it; and, the risks and benefits.

Aspirin is safe for some healthy women over age 65 to take to prevent stroke and heart attack, but probably not for most younger women.

People who are at risk for heart disease may be fine for some time, until a stressful event or situation acts as a trigger for a heart attack or stroke. Even in those with heart disease, some of these triggers can be minimized or avoided.

A Harvard Medical School doctor answers your question about the appropriate doctor to see after suffering a stroke.

HDL, the "good" cholesterol, helps prevent heart disease, but there is some evidence that suggests it may also help protect against strokes, and possibly dementia as well.

The benefits of aspirin for those at risk for heart disease are clear, but for women under 65 who are not at risk, there is no benefit to a daily aspirin. There is evidence that taking aspirin regularly may reduce the risk of stroke, regardless of age.

People at risk for heart attack or stroke will likely benefit from taking low-dose daily aspirin, but for some there are greater risks (such as ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding) that outweigh aspirin's help.

Detailed information on dehydration and heat stroke, including symptoms, treatment, and prevention

A stroke can cause problems with speech, vision, memory, balance or coordination. It can leave part of the body weakened or paralyzed, among other physical problems.

The good news about a stroke is that it can be successfully treated. But there's a catch. For the best outcome, a stroke must be diagnosed and treated within about three hours after symptoms begin.

About 80 percent of people who have a stroke can benefit from some form of rehabilitation.

Although their symptoms and effects can be similar—and confusing—strokes and heart attacks are two different medical problems.

Strokes don't have to be disabling or deadly. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke and acting quickly may help you or your loved one escape the damaging effects of a "brain attack."

True or false: There's no way of predicting if or when someone will have a stroke.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), while seemingly insignificant, often lead to strokes within a short time span. If you experience a TIA or have symptoms that suggest one, take it seriously and seek treatment right away.

Transient ischemic attacks???or mini-strokes???may be a harbinger of more serious problems and shouldn't be dismissed.

A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about proper treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Heart disease does not always manifest with a sudden, traumatic event. People who are already taking medication are more likely to experience a less severe attack, such as angina or a minor stroke.

Stroke survivors often suffer pain afterward, and it often goes untreated. It may be necessary to ask for a referral to a pain specialist.

A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about the dangers of a small stroke affecting the eyes.

Recognizing signs of stroke can speed treatment. Nonmedical personnel can use these guidelines as possible warning signs that a stroke has occurred.

An expert shares his beliefs about how best to treat and avoid cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.

Is there any chance of recovery from right arm paralysis caused by a stroke after one year has passed?

Statistics profiling the occurrence of stroke

Statistics profiling the occurrence of stroke

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of physical trauma to the head causing damage to the brain. This damage can be focal, or restricted to a single area of the brain, or diffuse, affecting more than one region of the brain. By definition, TBI requires that there be a head injury, or any physical assault to the head leading to injury of the scalp, skull, or brain. However, not all head trauma is associated with TBI.

Detailed information on acquired brain injury, including types, causes, and rehabilitation

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. Unlike other tumors, brain tumors spread by local extension and rarely metastasize (spread) outside the brain. A benign brain tumor is composed of non-cancerous cells and does not metastasize beyond the part of the brain where it originates. A brain tumor is considered malignant if it contains cancer cells, or if it is composed of harmless cells located in an area where it suppresses one or more vital functions.

A primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults. See also: Brain tumor - metastatic (cancer that has spread to the brain; Brain tumor - children.

Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue, either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous), in the brain. Each year, more than 17,000 brain tumors are diagnosed in the United States.

Types of Brain TumorsThere are many types of brain tumors, including primary and secondary brain tumors.Primary brain tumorsare named by the type of brain tissue in which they are found. The most common primary brain tumors aregliomas, which begin...

Understanding Your Grade of Brain TumorBefore your doctor can recommend a treatment plan, he or she needs to know the grade of the cancer. The grade tells these things about the tumor.How malignant it isHow likely it is that the cancer will spread...

What Is a Brain Tumor?The brain is a complex organ made up of many different cells and parts.

How Does My Doctor Know I Have a Brain Tumor?If you have symptoms of a brain tumor, your doctor will first ask questions about these symptoms.

Can I Get Checked for a Brain Tumor Before I Have Symptoms?Screening tests check for signs of cancer in people who don’t have any symptoms.

Brain Tumors: Emotional IssuesAdjusting to your diagnosis and treatment can be hard for both you and your loved ones. It will take time.

Brain Tumors: Team Members and Common TermsThe members of your health care team will work with you during the course of your treatment. They help guide you through your treatment choices, address your questions and concerns, and give you support.

I’ve Just Been Told I Have a Brain TumorA brain tumor is a type of cancer. And there are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer.

Coping With the Cognitive Effects of Brain TumorsElaine learned she had a tumor deep within her brain. After recovering from brain surgery, Elaine started getting lost on short trips to the grocery store--the same store she’d been driving to for y...

Brain TumorsThe brain controls the body. Each part of the brain has a role.

Medications for a Brain TumorBrain tumors often cause symptoms. Also, your treatment is likely to produce some side effects.

What to Know About Surgery for Brain TumorsSurgery is usually the first step in treating a brain tumor. For this treatment, you see a doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain or nerves, called aneurosurgeon. 

Tips for Feeling Your Best During Treatment for a Brain TumorWhen you are being treated for a brain tumor, it is likely that you will have side effects. Depending on how advanced your cancer is, you may also have symptoms of the disease.

Tell Your Healthcare Team How You Feel During Treatment for a Brain TumorTreating your cancer to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters.

Am I At Risk for a Brain Tumor?Certain factors can make one person more likely to get a brain tumor than another person.

What Can I Do to Prevent a Brain Tumor if I’m At Risk?Because no one knows what causes brain tumors, it is hard to say what will prevent them.

Tips for People With Brain TumorsBrain tumors can affect your ability to think, remember, reason, and concentrate. Follow these tips to improve your quality of life and reduce frustration.Become very organized.Lay out clothing ahead of time.Keep a...

Statistics About Brain TumorsSome people use statistical reports to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. Remember that statistics show what happens with large groups of people.

What Are the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor?Brain tumor symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor.

Types of Treatment for Brain TumorsDifferent types of brain tumor treatments have different goals. Here is a list of treatments and their goals.Surgery. 

What to Know About Your Treatment Choices for Brain TumorsResearchers are finding new treatments for brain tumors. People with brain tumors now have more hope for living longer than ever before.People with brain tumors are often overwhelmed with t...

What to Know About Chemotherapy for Brain TumorsChemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs are made to attack and kill cells that divide rapidly.

What Are the Survival Rates for People With Brain Tumors?Survival rates show the percentage of people with a certain type and stage of cancer who survive it for a certain period of time after they are diagnosed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brain TumorHere are some frequently asked questions about brain tumors.Q: What is the brain, and how does it work?A: The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system.

Potential Side Effects of Chemotherapy for a Brain TumorSide effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and amount of drugs you take and the length of your treatment. Because chemotherapy drugs kill rapidly dividing cells, the drugs can damage hea...

Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of various childhood brain tumors.

Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment

Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment

An electrolyte disorder is an imbalance of certain ionized salts (i.e., bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, and sodium) in the blood.