Stroke in Women
Signs of a Stroke
|
A stroke is where blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly stopped. A stroke is not a heart attack, but rather a brain attack. It occurs when blood flow is suddenly reduced, either by a blockage or a rupture in an artery in the brain. After a few seconds the brain cells start to die because they are starved of oxygen and nutrients. When the cells die, body functions controlled by that part of the brain are lost, resulting in disability. |
|
|
|
There are 2 types of strokes: an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhage stroke. Ischemic's account for 80 percent of all strokes and occur when a clot forms, blocking blood flow. A hemorrhagic stroke is where a blood vessel bursts and blood seeps into surrounding tissue. The most common cause of a burst blood vessel is weakness in the vessel due to long-standing high blood pressure or an aneurysm. |
|
Aneurysm in the brain ruptures causing hemorrhagic stroke An aneurysm is an outward bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel caused by pressure of blood pressing against a weakened artery wall. Not all aneurysms burst, some remain small and harmless. But if the bulge is stretched too far, perhaps aggravated by high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or the effects of smoking, the aneurysm can burst. |
|
Clip ligation involves clamping the bulge (aneurysm) with a metal clip to separate it from the rest of the blood vessel. This stops blood spilling out of the artery into surrounding tissue. To perform the operation, the surgeon must open the skull and expose the brain (a procedure called craniotomy). Different types of clips are available to accommodate different sizes and locations of aneurysms. |
|
Also called endovascular coiling, this is a less invasive surgery which involves inserting a catheter (long thin tube) through an artery where it is then guided to the aneurysm. A coil is deposited which acts to seal the aneurysm. A thrombus (blood clot) quickly forms sealing the aneurysm further (or prevents it from rupturing if it has not already). Although this surgery is more desirable because it does not involve opening the skull, how long the treatment lasts is not yet certain. For this reason patients need to be periodically monitored by an MRI scan. |
|
|
PLAQUE REMOVED
Atherosclerotic plaque removed during carotid endarterectomy. During this procedure the blocked area of the carotid artery is opened and the obstruction is removed. The artery is then widened to improve blood flow, repaired and finally closed. This operation may also be given to people with symptoms of stroke or those who suffered a mini stroke (TIA). The vast majority of mini strokes are caused by narrowing of the internal carotid artery. |
|
|
BACK TO HEALTH PICTURES / BACK TO HOMEPAGE |
WOMENS HEALTH ADVICE: ABOUT Stroke |
