brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Ischemic Stroke
Introduction
An ischemic stroke is death of an area of brain tissue (cerebral infarction) resulting from an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain due to blockage of an artery. Ischemic stroke usually results when an artery to the brain is blocked, often by a blood clot and/or a fatty deposit due to atherosclerosis. Symptoms occur suddenly and may include muscle weakness, paralysis, lost or abnormal sensation on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, problems with vision, dizziness, and loss of balance and coordination. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and results of a physical examination and brain imaging. Other imaging tests (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and blood tests are done to identify the cause of the stroke. Treatment may include medications to break up blood clots or to make blood less likely to clot and procedures to physically remove blood clots, followed by rehabilitation. About one third of people recover all or most of normal function after an ischemic stroke. Preventive measures include control of risk factors, medications to make blood less likely to clot, and sometimes surgery or angioplasty to open blocked arteries. (See also Overview of Stroke .) 