Common Questions About Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic strokes, which account for approximately 85% of strokes, are caused by lack of blood flow to the brain. An ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked or narrowed. Part of the brain then gets insufficient oxygen and brain cells die. Symptoms depend on which part of the brain is impacted. Ischemic strokes can be "silent," meaning they have no obvious symptoms, but increase your risk of future strokes and can cause progressive brain damage.

Ischemic stroke is most often caused by fatty deposits (plaque) blocking a blood vessel. This then leads to one of two kinds of obstruction:

1. Cerebral thrombosis - a blood clot at the site of plaque deposits in the brain itself.
2. Cerebral embolism - a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body, breaks loose, and travels to the brain. This is often caused by atrial fibrillation, that is an irregular heartbeat, which can cause clots to form in the heart.

It's recommended to receive ischemic stroke treatment in Singapore as soon as possible for the best results.

Symptoms of Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke symptoms include:

• Numbness or weakness in face, arm, or leg. This is typically on one side of the body (the opposite side to the impacted part of the brain).
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
• Trouble walking
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Lack of coordination

All of these symptoms occur very suddenly. If somebody is having a stroke they need medical attention right away. When you suspect that you or a loved one are having a stroke, call 9-9-5 immediately for an ambulance.

Ischemic Stroke Causes

The major risk factors for ischemic stroke are:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Atrial fibrillation

All of these conditions increase the risk of clots forming in the brain or body, whether by increasing fatty deposits or increasing clot risk in general (such as high blood pressure). Quitting smoking and treating these conditions reduces your risk of having a stroke.

Diagnosis of Ischemic Stroke

Strokes are generally diagnosed with a brain scan, which can establish what kind of stroke you have had and locate the problem. In most cases, a CT scan is done, which is like a 3D X-ray of the brain. If more detail is needed, an MRI scan is used. Other tests are then done to confirm the cause of the stroke. These include a carotid ultrasound to look for blockages in the neck arteries and an echocardiogram to look for atrial fibrillation or other heart issues.

Treatment needs to be done quickly, so in most cases a CT scan is done right away to locate the problem and start treatment before brain damage gets worse. The less damage, the more likely you are to recover fully. Ideally, go to an ischemic stroke specialist in Singapore for treatment and follow-up.

When to Consider a Stroke Specialist Assessment

An ischemic stroke diagnosis raises important questions about why the stroke happened and how to reduce the risk of another event.

Consider arranging a stroke specialist assessment if you:

• Have experienced an ischemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
• Want to understand the underlying cause of your stroke.
• Have been diagnosed with narrowing of the carotid or brain arteries.
• Have experienced recurrent stroke symptoms.
• Want a second opinion about your treatment plan.
• Have stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or smoking history.
• Need further assessment of brain or blood vessel imaging.
• Want guidance on long-term stroke prevention.

At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, stroke assessment focuses on understanding the underlying cause of stroke through detailed evaluation of symptoms, medical history and vascular imaging.

Your specialist will help you understand your diagnosis, discuss treatment options and develop a personalised approach to stroke prevention and long-term vascular health.

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience sudden weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, sudden vision changes, severe dizziness or loss of coordination, as these may be signs of an acute stroke.

Stroke Treatment Options and Management in Singapore

Ischemic stroke is treated by removing the clot. There are two primary ways to do this.

Medication

If treatment is started quickly, a tissue plasminogen activator can be used to dissolve the clot. This is a medication that is administered through an IV in the arm and is much less invasive. However, many people don't arrive at the hospital on time.

Mechanical Thrombectomy

A mechanical thrombectomy is a surgical way to remove the clot. Rather than going directly into the brain, surgeons use a stent retriever that is passed through a catheter inserted in the groin. The stent grabs the clot and pulls it out. An alternative is a suction tube. This needs to be done within six hours of symptom onset. Again, stroke treatment takes time. Some patients may receive both a mechanical thrombectomy and medication.

Additional Stroke Treatments

Most stroke patients need to be hospitalized as part of their treatment plan. Treatment plans also include:

• Testing to identify the cause of the stroke.
• Initiating treatment to prevent further strokes, such as medication to treat atrial fibrillation or assistance with smoking cessation.
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy to restore previous mobility and speech.

Once somebody has had a stroke, they are more vulnerable to further incidents, so it's very important to follow prevention plans and avoid ischemic stroke causes in the future. If you or a loved one has had a stroke, our specialized ischemic stroke clinic in SIngapore can help. Contact us today to arrange your appointment.

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic's Comprehensive Stroke Treatments in Singapore

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic provides a full spectrum of neurointerventional treatments that seek to deal with  stroke-related issues. There are personalized treatment plans for stroke to improve your quality of life. Contact us today to see how we can help you on your stroke journey with our programs including stroke screening, management, and prevention.

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Stroke in Younger Adults

Areas of the Brain Affected by 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.

When a stroke occurs, the symptoms of stroke depend on how blood flow to the brain is affected. Individuals at high risk and even higher risk (family history) often have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or another risk factor for stroke, all of which increase the risk of stroke.  Disrupted blood flow can  even damage the blood vessel in the brain and affect one side of the body. Having a stroke doesn’t mean it has to lead to permanent disabilities. Recognizing early warning signs is essential to reduce the risk, and in some cases, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy may help increase the blood vessel in the brain and restore healthy circulation.

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

Neurointerventional / Stroke Treatments

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