Stroke is characterized by the blockage of the blood supply to the brain that happens due to the rupture of the blood vessel in the brain. Because of this, blood and oxygen supply to the brain tissues is not reached which makes it an emergency situation and requires immediate medical treatment.
According to WHO, more than 15million people suffer due to stroke attack each year and half of them die and another half million people are permanently disabled. High blood pressure is one of the vital reasons for stroke. The stroke attack is increasing worldwide due to the aging population.
Cardiovascular disease refers to the more than one disease of the circulatory system that includes the heart and blood vessels. It includes the blood vessels that distress the lungs, brain, kidney and other parts of the body. There are six types of cardiovascular diseases such as Ischemic heart disease, a Cerebrovascular disease that leads to stroke, Peripheral vascular disease, Heart failure, Congenital heart disease, and Rheumatic heart disease.
Cardiovascular or heart disease statistics show that it is one of the leading health ailments and also leading cause of death worldwide. It is evident that mortality rates are high due to heart diseases other than cancer and respiratory illness.
Heart stroke or Ischemic stroke happens when the artery to the brain is blocked. The arteries bring the fresh blood from the heart and lungs that contains oxygen and nutrients. Also, it removes carbon dioxide and other cellular wastes. During the stroke attack, the arteries get blocked and stop working that cause the brain cells to die. Therefore immediate medical attention is needed.
The cause for heart stroke is due to various diseases that lead to narrowing of the arteries mainly to neck and head. This is due to atherosclerosis and cholesterol deposition (plaque). Here the blood cells get collected and form a clot. The clots when block the artery at the place of formation is called as thrombosis, or when it gets dislodges near the brain is called an embolism. Another reason for stroke is a blood clot in the heart due to an irregular heartbeat, heart attack or dysfunctioning of the valves.
Heart stroke symptoms include,
- 1. Face drooping or numbness on one side of the face.
- 2. Numb feeling of one side of the arm or unable to lift it.
- 3. Speaking difficulty, unable to speak clearly.
- 4. Incapable of movement on one side of the body
- 5. Trouble in vision
- 6. Difficulty in walking or feeling dizziness
- 7. Confusion
- 8. Headache for no reason
- 9. Lack of control over the bowel movements
- 10. Changes in the taste bud
- 11. Difficulty in hearing
- 12. Difficulty in swallowing food or water
Treatment for stroke
Timely management of stroke is important to save the situation. Medical treatment of stroke in India is done at several reputed hospitals. Best neurologist and neurosurgeons are available and they use the most advanced techniques such as robotic treatment is given to save the life of the patients. Ischemic or heart stroke is treated to restore the blood flow in the brain. Medications are given in the first four and half hours of the stroke attack to unclog the blood vessels. The purpose of the treatment is to stop the bleeding and to control the blood pressure in the brain. After the healing, the damaged blood vessels are repaired.
Stroke recovery treatment involves rehabilitation therapy that involves different aspects such as;
- Speech therapy – it involves overcoming speech and communication difficulties.
- Physical therapy – it helps a person to relearn things and coordination activities
- Occupational therapy – it helps a person to carry out daily routine activities
- Support groups – it helps to overcome mental health problems and depression.
- Family and friends support – the family members and friends should provide practical support and comfort so that recovery after stroke becomes an easy process.
Prevention
Stroke can be prevented by finding out the root cause and altering lifestyle habits such as consuming healthy diet, maintaining the ideal weight, regularly exercising, quitting smoking and tobacco, and avoiding alcohol.
