You can save your life by knowing the signs of a stroke. If you are concerned about stroke in San Jose, CA, Dr. Raj Gupta and Dr. Akshay Shah of San Jose Pacific Neurology Center specialize in all neurological conditions.
Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. An interruption in the blood supply to the brain causes a stroke. This happens when a clot blocks the blood vessel or the blood vessel ruptures. As a result, the brain is starved of oxygen and cells die.
F.A.S.T
Fast makes sense, it is how you should respond if you have or see any of these signs.
- F- Face drooping
- A-Arm weakness
- S-Speech difficulty
- T-Time to call 811
Other signs to look for that are indicative of a stroke include:
- Numbness in the arm, the leg, or the face usually on one side
- Confusion, faintness, or nausea
- Sudden severe headache
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or lost balance
- Trouble seeing from one eye
Ischemic Strokes
About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. They are the result of a clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain. In order to treat this type of stroke, the clot must be removed or broken up. This can be done in several ways. If caught early, Alteplase medication can be introduced intravenously to break up the clot. Endovascular or mechanical treatment to remove the clot is most effective within 6 hours but works for up to 24 hours. In some cases of stroke in San Jose, CA, combined treatment is used.
Hemorrhagic Strokes
With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel ruptures due to chronic hypertension, an aneurysm, or an abnormality in the blood vessel. The treatment is to stop the bleeding, which can be accomplished by inserting a catheter into an arm or leg and guiding it to the brain or surgical treatment to correct the aneurysm.
TIA
A TIA is a Transient Ischemic Attack which is often referred to as a mini-stroke. It should be taken seriously and considered as a warning that a more serious stroke may be on the horizon.
When it comes to knowing the signs of a stroke, time is of the essence. The faster treatment is applied, the better chance there is for a good result. To learn more about stroke in San Jose, CA, Dr. Gupta and Dr. Shah of San Jose Pacific Neurology Center can give you the answers you are looking for. Call the office for a consult at 408-347-1600.