Stroke is one of the most common conditions causing death worldwide. There is high incidence of permanent brain damage severely affecting quality of life in affected patients. It can be a devastating event both for patient and the family. The best way to treat a stroke is to prevent stroke.
Call 9-9-5 immediately if you or a loved one is experiencing stroke symptoms.
What is a Stroke?
Strokes are serious medical emergencies that require immediate diagnosis and care from a doctor due to their potential life-threatening consequences and long-term impact on health. When a stroke occurs, time is of the essence, as the brain’s oxygen supply is compromised, leading to rapid brain cell damage. Seeking treatment from a healthcare professional promptly is crucial to minimize brain damage, prevent further complications, and improve the chances of recovery.
A stroke is a condition where brain tissue dies due to a lack of blood flow. This happens when a blood vessel supplying the brain gets blocked (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When the blood supply is cut off, brain cells don’t receive the necessary oxygen, causing them to die. The area of damaged brain tissue is called an infarct, which “dies” due to the lack of oxygen. Understand more about stroke essentials on our blog post, “Stroke Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment”.
If you or someone you care about has experienced a stroke or is at risk, seeking the right medical attention is crucial. This blog post explains what you need to know about the different types of strokes, their risks, finding the right doctor, and even some tips on preventing strokes before you see a medical professional.
Understanding Different Types of Stroke
The two main types are ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when there’s a blockage or reduction in blood flow to an area of the brain. This usually happens due to a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits (plaques) build up inside the blood vessels, narrowing them over time. When a blood clot (thrombus) forms and gets stuck in one of these narrowed vessels, it can block the blood flow completely or partially.
Transient Ischemic Attack (Mini-Stroke)
Another important term to know is Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), often referred to as a “mini-stroke.” Though brief, TIAs can be warning signs of more serious strokes. Knowing the differences between these types will help you recognize symptoms and take appropriate action.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes bleeding within and around the brain. There are two main types: subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel on the brain’s surface bursts, causing blood to leak into the spaces between the brain and skull. This can be caused by ruptured aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and head trauma. Learn the difference between a subarachnoid hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke in our other informative article.
Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts, leading to bleeding within the brain tissue, which is caused by high blood pressure (hypertension). When blood pressure increases, tiny arterioles burst resulting in the tissue beyond the rupture to die. This causes more bleeding as blood vessels in the dead tissue start to leak.
A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the arterial wall which stretches and balloons and happens as the artery branches. At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic we offer compassionate and comprehensive care for brain aneurysm.
Find out how brain aneurysms affect stroke risk on our brain aneurysm resources page. The Ultimate Guide to Brain Aneurysm post can help you learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this potentially life-threatening condition.
Finding the Right Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Specialist
Choosing the right doctor can make all the difference in your stroke recovery journey. Stroke specialists both play essential roles in stroke care who have specialized training in stroke treatment. Their expertise can lead to better outcomes.
A doctor’s diagnosis is vital because strokes can present differently based on their type. Ischemic strokes, caused by blood clots, require different treatment approaches than hemorrhagic strokes, which result from bleeding in the brain. Additionally, there’s a chance that what appears to be a transient issue, such as a TIA, could be an early warning sign of an impending more severe stroke.
A healthcare professional can accurately assess the symptoms, perform necessary tests, and provide a precise diagnosis, allowing for appropriate and timely treatment. Our stroke and brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja, provides stroke management and prevention as well as stroke screening. We also provide care and treatment options at our specialized brain aneurysm clinic at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore.
Preventing Stroke Before Seeking Medical Attention:
Prevention is always better than an ounce of cure. Adopting a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in reducing stroke risk. Focus on eating a balanced diet, staying physically active with regular exercise, and managing stress levels while getting enough rest.
Identify and manage risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes and medications as prescribed by your doctor. Lastly, spread awareness among family and friends about stroke symptoms, and emphasize the importance of acting fast during a stroke emergency.
Moreover, the earlier a stroke is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of minimizing long-term disability and improving the overall quality of life for the patient. Seeking treatment now means taking proactive steps towards a better future and preventing potential recurrent strokes, which may cause further damage and complications.
Now is an excellent time to seek treatment from a healthcare professional because advances in stroke care and medical technology have significantly improved outcomes for stroke patients. Medical professionals have access to various treatment options, such as clot-busting medications, surgical interventions, and rehabilitation programs, designed to support recovery and prevent future strokes.
Remember, knowledge is power, and by understanding different stroke types, finding the right doctor, and taking preventive measures, make proactive choices for your health. By consulting a healthcare professional and neurointervention specialist in Singapore like Dr. Manish Taneja, patients receive specialized expertise in stroke care, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the best possible recovery journey. Time is critical when it comes to strokes, and seeking medical attention promptly can make all the difference in your brain health and well-being. We are right there with you. Reach out to the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic today to take control of your stroke care journey.
Read More About Neurointerventional Treatments on Our Blog
To dive deeper into the types of neurointerventional treatments, head over to our clinic’s blog.
Read our recommended neurointerventional treatments related blog posts to stay informed. What is a brain aneurysm? Watch our helpful video to learn brain aneurysm causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.
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- Stroke Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment: A Complete Guide
- Stroke Prevention: Causes and Risk Factors
- Your Guide to Prevent a Second Stroke
- Brain Aneurysm Q&A with Dr. Manish Taneja
- 10 Brain Aneurysm Questions Answered
- The Ultimate Guide to Brain Aneurysm
- Conversation with Dr. Manish Taneja on Brain Aneurysm Advances and Care
- The Dangers of Brain Aneurysm
- Brain Aneurysm: Best Minimally Invasive Treatments
- Brain AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation)
Stroke Resources
Stroke In Younger Adults: What You Need to Know
You are never too young to have a stroke. As such, it is important to know what to look out for and how your lifestyle increases your risk of having a stroke.
We’ve Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a “brain attack”. When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes (blockage of blood vessel due to blood clot) or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), with no permanent damage yet serious. Stroke also occurs when a blood vessel in the brain pops causing bleeding in the brain.
Certain areas of the brain can be affected by stroke and some symptoms of a stroke including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of stroke whereas an active lifestyle or controlling high cholesterol reduces the risk. How well do you know stroke? Find tips to prevent and manage stroke, the differences in stroke screening tests, and the newer technology and treatments available. Come in for an easy consultation and further evaluation with our stroke specialist in Singapore at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Stroke Programs
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Discover brain aneurysm resources that go beyond the basics designed for patients. Understand the meaning of a brain aneurysm condition, the causes, symptoms, signs, and more. Connect with your brain health.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Could it be a brain aneurysm that ruptures, which means bleeding in the brain? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. Then what is the difference between unruptured (a weak or thin spot on an artery in the brain that balloons) or ruptured brain aneurysm? If you’re wondering, then the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is here to help. It’s important to look out for the tell-tale brain aneurysm symptoms, signs, causes, and risk factors.
Dr. Manish Taneja has been performing brain aneurysm treatments since 1995 from surgical clipping to latest minimally invasive procedures. Each patient is unique as is the size and location of the aneurysm. Your brain has different conditions to treat the aneurysm and artery vessel walls of a blood vessel in the brain. This calls for personalised brain aneurysm treatment depending on your symptoms, family, history, medication, and more. A simple CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
