A brain CT scan can show if there is bleeding in the brain or damage to the brain cells from a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of your brain. An MRI may be used instead of—or in addition to—a CT scan to diagnose a stroke.
Warning signs of an ischemic stroke may be evident as early as seven days before an attack and require urgent treatment to prevent serious damage to the brain, according to a study of stroke patients published in the March 8, 2005 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Your doctor then will need to do blood tests and imaging tests to figure out which type of stroke you might have had. The most common kind is called ischemic stroke.
If you have a silent stroke, you probably won't know it unless you happen to have a brain scan and the damage shows up. You may have slight memory problems or a little difficulty getting around. A doctor may be able to see signs of silent strokes without testing.
Yes, you can have a stroke and not know it. A stroke's effects can be undetectable if the stroke is small or if the tissue damaged does not serve a critical function. Evidence of the stroke would show on a CT scan or an MRI of the brain, but it might not produce symptoms.
These brief episodes are transient ischemic attacks (TIA), sometimes called “mini-strokes.” They still should be taken seriously, because they tend to be signs of underlying serious conditions that can lead to a full stroke, even possibly in the few days following a TIA event if not evaluated and treated for a TIA.
Any irregularities or causes for concern show up in a CT scan approximately six to eight hours after the onset of the first signs of a stroke. During a CT scan, the patient may be intravenously injected with dyes, which will highlight any abnormal areas in the scan, giving doctors a clearer view of the head.
You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.
An MRI can sometimes show the site of the TIA, especially if it's done soon after it happens. But this is not the main way that a TIA is diagnosed.
Usually, a silent stroke is discovered unexpectedly on a brain CT or brain MRI. These imaging tests can easily distinguish past strokes from recent strokes.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
Some of the most common stroke mimics are seizures, migraine, fainting, serious infections and functional neurological disorder (FND). Once the person is diagnosed, they can have treatment or support to manage their symptoms.
Unfortunately, doctors often miss the signs or misdiagnose strokes (research conducted by Johns Hopkins revealed that of the emergency room patients in their sample up to 13% had signs of a stroke, but were not properly diagnosed).
There is no defined limit to the number of strokes a person can have without dying. However, each stroke injures the brain, which can cause lasting damage. Brain cells need a constant supply of blood and oxygen to stay alive.
Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
How Does a Stroke Impact Life Expectancy? Despite the likelihood of making a full recovery, life expectancy after stroke incidents can decrease. Unfortunately, researchers have observed a wide range of life expectancy changes in stroke patients, but the average reduction in lifespan is nine and a half years.
Regardless of the size of your stroke, it's important to participate in rehabilitation in order to maximize your chances of recovery. With a rigorous therapy regimen, most mild stroke survivors can achieve a full recovery, or get very close to one.
Most people who have a mini-stroke feel fine after the event. In fact, many people don't even realize they've had one! Symptoms might include weakness, numbness, tingling, vision changes or difficulty speaking. Most symptoms are temporary and dissipate within minutes but sometimes can last up to 24 hours.
One of the most common stroke mimics is a seizure, which researchers believe account for as many as 20% of all stroke mimics. Other common stroke mimics include migraines, syncope, sepsis, brain tumor and metabolic derangement (low sodium or low blood sugar).
Can an ECG detect stroke? Yes. ECG can detect a heart problem that might lead to a stroke or even uncover a past problem such as a previous heart attack.
How long you stay in the hospital depends on your symptoms and the treatment received. The average amount of time to stay in the hospital after a TIA is 2 to 3 days.
In the emergency room, you learned you'd had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. While symptoms went away within several hours, your concern that it could happen again did not. The good news is you absolutely can live a full life after a mini-stroke.
If you have had a TIA within the last 48 hours, you will likely be admitted to the hospital so that doctors can search for the cause and monitor you. High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and blood disorders will be treated as needed.