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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #19512
61 days ago
101

how brain stroke happens - #19512

Shreya

I am really worried because my grandma had a sudden episode last week. One moment she was fine, and then she couldn't speak properly and her left side seemed weak. We rushed her to the hospital, and the doctors told us it was a stroke. Now, I keep thinking about how brain stroke happens in the first place. I mean, what causes it? Is it always that sudden? I heard they mentioned something about blood clots and blocked arteries when they were explaining stuff, but I just can't wrap my head around how brain stroke happens. I try reading online, but there’s so much info out there, it's like a maze. Can high blood pressure play a big role in how brain stroke happens? I read somewhere that diabetes can contribute too, which makes sense because she has that. I’m scared that this could happen again. Like, can lifestyle choices help prevent this or is it mostly just genetics? If someone in the family has had a stroke, are you more likely to? I’d just appreciate any simple explanation or personal insights on how brain stroke happens, really! Trying to understand this because I want to help my grandma and keep her as healthy as possible! Thanks!

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Doctors' responses

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” occurs when there’s an interruption in blood flow to part of the brain. This interruption can be sudden and its effects immediate, which explains the abrupt change in your grandma’s ability to speak and the weakness on one side. Strokes generally come in two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain, which is the most common type and what it sounds like the doctors were describing. Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, occur when a vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. High blood pressure is indeed a significant risk factor for strokes because it can damage blood vessels, making them more likely to narrow or burst. Diabetes also plays a role, as it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of clot formation. Genetics can increase the risk, but lifestyle choices have a substantial impact on stroke risk. Eating a balanced diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and moderating alcohol intake are crucial steps that can help. If someone in the family has had a stroke, you might have a higher risk, but modifying your lifestyle can mitigate this. Make sure your grandma continues with her medical check-ups and follows any specific recommendations from her doctors around controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes effectively, and taking any prescribed medications. Understanding the signs and risk factors for stroke not only helps in preventing a recurrence but also equips you to act quickly in the event of another episode. In such cases, immediate medical attention is critical as it’s often a race against time to minimize brain damage.

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