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March 18, 2024

Understanding Ischaemic Stroke – Symptoms & Causes

Out of all the medical emergencies that one faces, probably one of the most dreadful is a stroke. Time is of utmost essence when it comes to attending a stroke patient. Identifying the signs of a stroke and taking the right measures on time can save a precious life.

Let’s get a complete understanding of Ischaemic Stroke to be armed with the right kind of knowledge to attend to a victim.

What is Ischaemic Stroke?

Ischaemic Stroke is a life-threatening medical condition which happens when there’s a lack of blood flow to a part of the brain. This is mostly caused due to blood clots, but it can be caused by other reasons too.

Ischemia refers to a condition when the cells in the body do not get enough blood flow. When the blood flow into areas of the brain gets affected, a person loses the abilities controlled by those brain areas. This can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.

A stroke is a medical emergency, which requires immediate medical attention. Quick medical intervention can reduce brain damage and other complications happening from stroke.

What are the Warning Signs of Stroke?

When a person is facing a stroke, they may show one or more of the following signs:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Ask the person to raise his/her hand. If the arm begins to fall, it can be a stroke. One side of the face drooping may also be a sign of a stroke.
Sudden trouble in seeing with eyes, one or both. The person may have blackened or blurred vision in one or both eyes or may see double.
Trouble in speaking and understanding all of a sudden. The person may feel confused or their words may be slurred.
A sudden and severe headache, leading to dizziness, vomiting and confusion.
Trouble in walking, losing balance or loss of coordination.

How Do You Understand if a Person is Having a Stroke?

As a layman, understanding when a person is having a stroke can be difficult. A simple rule of thumb is to look for FAST:

Face: Ask the person to smile and see if one side of the face droops.
Arms: Is the person facing difficulties when you ask him to raise both arms? Does the arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to speak, is the speech different than usual or slurred?
Time: If you see a person suffering from any of these, call for emergency medical help right away.

What Causes an Ischaemic Stroke?

We already know that stroke is caused by blockages, but why do these blockages form? Well, here are some of the common reasons:

1. Atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries)

Atherosclerosis is a condition when there is a build-up on the inside walls of the blood vessels, which carry blood away from the heart. These deposits are commonly known as atheromas or plaque. These build-ups can happen in the large arteries in the neck, which lead to the brain. This may make them stiffer or narrower. As a result, atheromas can get inflamed or break down. This can lead to formation of clots which can block the blood vessels, leading to a disruption of blood flow into the brain.

Atherosclerosis can be caused due to medical conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity can also lead to atherosclerosis.

2. Heart Conditions

Several heart conditions may lead to a stroke, some of the common ones being:

Irregular Heartbeat (Atrial fibrillation) – An abnormally fast or irregular heartbeat is known as atrial fibrillation. Due to the irregularity, blood doesn’t flow out of the heart properly, leading to clots. This clot travels through the bloodstream to the brain, thus leading to a stroke.
Hole in the Heart (Patent foramen ovale) – All babies have an opening between the right and left side of the heart, known as the foramen ovale. This gap connects the baby’s blood supply to the mother’s. Although this gap closes up after birth, sometimes it may stay open, leading to a hole in the heart. This may lead to clot formation in the heart that travels up to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
Other Heart Conditions – A recent heart attack of a mechanical heart valve can also increase the risk of stroke.

3. Small Vessel Disease

Small vessel disease is the damage of tiny blood vessels deep inside the brain. The narrowing of blood vessels reduces the flow of blood, leading to a stroke. A series of small strokes may also happen due to this disease, which can increase the risk of bleeding in the brain. Small vessel disease is usually caused due to very high blood pressure. Hence, it is essential to follow the doctor’s advice, whenever one is diagnosed with high blood pressure. Small vessel disease can be diagnosed through a brain scan. It can affect one’s mood or thinking ability and is often linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

4. Damaged Artery (Arterial Dissection)

The risk of stroke increases manifold when the lining of an artery is damaged. This can happen due to an injury, but sometimes there’s no apparent cause to the damage. The buildup of blood in the damaged area can lead to clots, which can move up to the brain.

5. Other Causes of Stroke

Stroke may be caused by other causes such as heart infections or inherited blood clotting disorders.

Stroke doesn’t discriminate

Stroke can happen to anyone. Following a balanced lifestyle is key to reducing the risk of stroke. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and eating healthy is very important.

For people suffering from hypertension and diabetes, keeping their blood sugar and blood pressure within the normal range is essential. The same holds for cholesterol levels. It is essential to go for regular checkups, especially if one is diagnosed with a heart disease or has a family history of heart disease.

Awareness and medical attention on time can work wonders in preventing a mishap from a stroke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes an ischaemic stroke?

Ischaemic stroke is primarily caused when blood clots in the brain disrupt the flow of blood into the brain. This can be caused due to various heart conditions such as irregular heartbeat and holes in the heart, narrowed arteries, small vessel disease, damaged arteries and others.

What are the 5 symptoms of ischaemic stroke?

The common five symptoms of an ischaemic stroke are:

1) Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
2) Sudden trouble in seeing with one or both eyes
3) Trouble in speaking and understanding all of a sudden
4) A sudden and severe headache, leading to dizziness, vomiting and confusion
5) Trouble in walking, losing balance or loss of coordination

How do you quickly recognise if a person is having a stroke?

Remember this acronym: FAST.

Face: See if the face droops when you ask them to smile
Arms: Check if the arm drifts downward when you ask them to raise their arms
Speech: Ask them to speak and check if their speech is different than usual or slurred?
Time: If you see any of these symptoms, call for emergency medical help right away.

Can you recover from an ischaemic stroke?

The time taken for recovery following a stroke varies from person to person, spanning weeks, months, or even years. While some individuals achieve full recovery, others may experience persistent disabilities lasting long-term or lifelong.

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