Gain a clear understanding of stroke with our easy-to-read glossary. Discover key terms, diagnosis, treatments, associated conditions, and learn which specialists can assist you. Empower yourself with the essential information you need to manage your brain health more effectively.

Basic Stroke Definitions and Medical Terminology

• Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to damage or death of brain cells. This can result from a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).

• Ischemic Stroke: This type of stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, often due to a blood clot. It is the most common type of stroke.

• Hemorrhagic Stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding in or around the brain. This type of stroke requires immediate medical attention.

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Often called a "mini-stroke," a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. It can serve as a warning sign of a future stroke.

• Brain Hemorrhage: A hemorrhage is active bleeding within the brain or surrounding areas, which may result from a hemorrhagic stroke or other conditions affecting the blood vessels or brain. It can also be caused by trauma or other medical issues.

• Brain Stem Stroke: A brain stem stroke or a brain stem infarction is a stroke that occurs in the brain stem. Blood flow is blocked at the base of the brain. The blockage and stroke can cause damage to the brain stem and other parts of the brain. 
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH): An SAH is when a weak area of a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It is characterized by bleeding in the space between the brain and the thin layer (arachnoid membrane) that covers and protects the brain. This space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, and when it is disrupted by bleeding, it can lead to the most common sign, a sudden and severe headache. 
• Right-side Stroke: The right side of the brain controls various essential functions, including spatial awareness, perception, attention, and emotion regulation. When a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, it can lead to significant impairments in these areas. Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, individuals may experience difficulties with perception, judgment, and emotional processing.
• Left-side Stroke: Left-side strokes are the most commonly diagnosed type of stroke. When a stroke occurs on the left side of the brain, it can lead to impairment in various functions, including speech and language abilities, weakness or paralysis on the right side of the body, and cognitive functions such as problem-solving and decision-making
• Lacunar Stroke: A lacunar stroke is a type of thrombotic stroke. Affecting the small vessels deep inside the brain, lacunar strokes can often be asymptomatic. This is because the small blood vessels result in numerous small-sized infarcts, which means small amounts of dead brain tissue. 

Stroke Diagnostic Terms

• Cerebral Angiogram: A cerebral angiogram is a minimally invasive procedure used to visualize the blood vessels in the brain. It is crucial for diagnosing strokes and identifying abnormalities in the brain's vascular system.

• CT Scan (Computed Tomography): The CT scan is an imaging technique that utilizes X-rays to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the brain. It is effective for detecting strokes, bleeding, and other brain abnormalities.

• CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography): A specialized type of CT scan that specifically targets the brain's blood vessels, providing detailed images to help diagnose and evaluate strokes.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI employs magnetic fields and radio waves to generate high-resolution images of the brain, aiding in the diagnosis and assessment of strokes and related conditions.

• MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography): MRA is a type of MRI that focuses on imaging the brain's blood vessels, useful for detecting vascular issues and assessing conditions related to brain aneurysms, stroke, and more. (Read more about these diagnostic tests that measure stroke risk and how Dr. Manish Taneja, our stroke specialist in Singapore, uses them to accurately diagnose and manage stroke-related conditions.

Stroke Treatment Options in Singapore

• Carotid Artery Stenting: Carotid stenting is a less invasive procedure compared to endarterectomy, involving the placement of a stent (a small mesh tube) to keep the carotid artery open and improve blood flow to the brain. This is often used in patients who are at high risk for surgery. Read more on our informative blog post.

• Carotid Endarterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck, which can help restore normal blood flow to the brain and reduce the risk of future strokes. This is typically recommended for patients with significant carotid artery narrowing.

• Endovascular Treatment: Minimally invasive procedures performed through small incisions and guided by imaging techniques. These treatments can include procedures such as mechanical thrombectomy or intra-arterial thrombolysis, aimed at removing or dissolving clots and restoring blood flow.

• Intracranial Stenting: This is a procedure to place a stent inside the arteries of the brain to treat or prevent blockages and narrowing. This is used for patients with intracranial atherosclerosis who are at high risk for recurrent strokes. The stent helps to keep the artery open and maintain blood flow. Find out more in in our comprehensive blog post on intracranial stenting.

• Rehabilitation Therapy: Post-stroke therapies designed to help patients regain lost functions and improve their quality of life. These therapies include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy, focusing on improving motor skills, daily activities, and communication abilities.

• Thrombectomy: Mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure used to remove a blood clot from a blocked artery in the brain for acute stroke. It involves inserting a catheter through a groin artery and navigating it to the brain, where the clot is mechanically extracted. This treatment is most effective within a few hours of stroke onset.

• Thrombolysis: The use of medication to dissolve blood clots in the brain’s arteries. The primary drug used is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which must be administered within a specific time window from the onset of stroke symptoms to be effective.

• Stroke Prevention Medications: Long-term medications prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes. These may include antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin), anticoagulants (like warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants), and medications to control blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Medications and Management

• Clot-busting drugs: Clot-busting drugs or thrombolytics are used right away and must be started within 4.5 hours of the stroke. Thrombolytics such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) are known as clot busters. However, before they are administered, a brain scan has to be done. Thrombolytics treat ischemic strokes but can make hemorrhagic strokes, where bleeding is happening in the brain, worse.
• Antiplatelet drugs: Antiplatelet drugs are used to treat both strokes and transient ischemic attacks (mini strokes). These drugs work by reducing the formation of platelets and/or making it harder for them to stick together (aggregate) to form clots. These drugs also make hemorrhagic strokes worse so, again, a brain scan is done to establish what kind of stroke the person had. The most common antiplatelet drugs used are aspirin, aspirin-dipyradamole, and ticagrelor. 
• Anticoagulants: Anticoagulants are used to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and may be recommended to prevent future strokes. Anticoagulants should not be taken within four days of an alteplase infusion (the two can work together to cause bleeding). Anticoagulant drugs prevent clots from forming. Heparin is the most common drug used, and is not indicated for all patients, including people with kidney and/or liver disease. However, when they are suitable, they can decrease the risk of stroke by over two-thirds.
• Blood pressure medication: A variety of high blood pressure medications may be prescribed. These include diuretics to help your body clean out sodium and water, beta blockers to reduce heart rate, ACE inhibitors, which help blood vessels relax, angiotensin II receptor blockers, which prevent them from narrowing, and calcium channel blockers, which keep calcium out of your heart and arteries.
• Cholesterol lowering drugs: High cholesterol is very common and can be managed with diet changes and drugs called statins, that lower cholesterol. If you have had a stroke, your doctor will look at your cholesterol levels and decide if you need statin drugs.
• Diabetes management medication: Controlling diabetes helps you prevent strokes and prevent strokes from recurring. Metformin is the most common medication prescribed for diabetes. It increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin, allowing your body to make better use of less insulin, and decreases the glucose absorbed from food. Read more about understanding medicine for stroke in our informative blog post. 

Specialist

• Neurointervention specialist: A doctor with specialized training in the use of minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to treat complex conditions of the brain, neck, and spine.
• Interventional Radiologist: A specialist in performing minimally invasive procedures. They use catheter-based techniques to remove or dissolve clots, place stents, or perform other interventions to restore blood flow in the brain.

Associated Conditions

• Atrial Fibrillation: Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke due to the potential formation of blood clots in the heart.
• Brain Aneurysm: A weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can rupture and lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. Brain aneurysm is a significant factor to consider when it comes to stroke risk. This is because when a brain aneurysm ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. 

• Carotid Artery Disease: CAD is the narrowing of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.

• Diabetes: Diabetes increases stroke risk by contributing to vascular damage and promoting the development of atherosclerosis.
• High Cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to the formation of plaque in the arteries, which increases the risk of stroke.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): This is a major risk factor for stroke, as chronic high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and lead to stroke.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): PAD is the narrowing of the arteries in the legs can indicate systemic atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of stroke. Understand more in our blog post about diagnosing and treating PAD.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, which serves as a warning sign and precursor to a potential full-blown stroke. Read more in detail about TIA's warning signs. 

Final Thoughts on Stroke

Understanding the terms related to stroke can significantly enhance your ability to manage the condition and communicate effectively with your healthcare provider. If you come across any unfamiliar terms during your treatment or research, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for clarification. Being informed is a powerful step toward better health and recovery.

If you feel you are at risk of a stroke or have any uncertainties, Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic can support you in navigating the complexities of stroke with clarity. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

Stroke Resources

Areas of the Brain Affected by Stroke

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our stroke specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.