| TIA: |
Transient
Ischemic Attacks: A localized problem caused by ischemia
(decreased blood flow) that completely resolves itself within 48
hours. The symptoms may go away as quickly as they came but it
is still important to be checked for neurological and cardiovascular
evaluation. One third of patients who has a TIA go on to
have a stroke, and are identified as possible high risk of heart
attack.
|
| EMBOLIC STROKE OR
CEREBRAL EMBOLISM: |
A clot forms in one
part of the body, breaks loose in whole or in part, travels in the
blood stream until it lodges in an artery in the brain or in a
vessel leading to the brain. Most embolic strokes involve
clots coming from the heart or catotid arteries.
The most common cardiac conditions associated
with emboli are atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, presence of
prosthetic heart valve, endocarditis, congestive heart failure and
myocardial infarction. |
| ANTICOAGULANT DRUGS: |
Studies have shown that
people with atrial fibrillation who take daily doses of aspirin or
Coumadin have an 80% reduction in their risk of stroke.
The use of anticoagulant drugs reduce formation
of blood clots. Coumadin is only given when aspirin therapy
has failed or when it is clear that the source of the clot is the
heart. e.g. when the person has atrial fibrillation or has has
a myocardial infarction or valvular heart disease is present. |
| ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
AND ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY: |
Estrogen is believed to
promote clotting and several studies show a risk increase when
using oral contraceptives.
Estrogen replacement therapy in post menopausal
women may slow the atherosclerotic process lowering the risk of
stroke and heart disease. |
| WARNING SIGNS OF
STROKE OR TIA: |
-
sudden
weakness or numbness of the face, arm and leg on one side of the
body
-
loss
of speech or trouble speaking or understanding speech
-
dimness
or loss of vision in one eye or half of both eyes
-
sudden
onset of blurred or double vision
-
unexplained
dizziness
-
sudden
onset of unsteadiness, lack of coordination, difficulty walking
or falling
-
sudden
excruciating head ache.
|
| CAUTION: |
For those showing signs
of having a stroke it is of utmost importance to go to the hospital
or emergency room as soon as possible. Most strokes need
immediate attention. If it is not a stroke the symptoms
may be related to other serous illness which also need attention. |
