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Risk Factors for Vertebrobasilar Stroke

A vertebrobasilar stroke occurs in the part of the brain known as the vertibrobasilar arterial system. A stroke of this nature is quite serious. Certain risk factors make you more vulnerable.

  1. Prognosis

    • A vertebrobasilar stroke is fatal 80 percent of the time, according to a study published in the Aug. 13, 2008, edition of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. If you survive this type of stroke, you are likely to have significant permanent physical and/ or mental impairment. This might include paralysis, cognitive impairment, memory loss, trouble talking, seeing, hearing or eating and pain.

    Risk Factors

    • Certain risk factors increase your chance of a vertebrobasilar stroke. If you are male, African American, or over 55, you are at increased risk of stroke. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart diseases also increase your risk as does smoking, heavy drinking and cocaine use.

    Warning Signs

    • A vertebrobasilar stroke presents with certain symptoms that can serve as a warning sign you are having a stroke. According to Medscape, an online reference database for physicians, 50 percent of patients who suffer from a vertebrobasilar stroke experience some of the following symptoms for several days or even a few weeks before the actual stroke occurs during transient ischemic attacks (TIA), which are more commonly known as mini-strokes.

      They include vertigo, nausea, vomiting, weakness of the tongue and facial muscles, altered consciousness, uncontrolled eye movement, loss of sensation in the face or scalp, visual disturbances, sweating and ataxia (lack of muscle coordination).

    Recovery

    • Post-stroke rehabilitation varies depending on the extent of damage and what mental and physical processes are affected. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are an important part of rehabilitation. Physical therapy helps you work on basic movement skills like balance and walking while occupational therapy helps you learn how to perform everyday activities like getting dressed, bathing and eating. A speech therapist can help with cognitive retraining and speech and language skills.

    Prevention

    • You can do several things to decrease your risk of vertebrobasilar stroke. Control high blood pressure. Control cholesterol by lowering your intake of saturated fat. Control diabetes or any other conditions that increase your risk of stroke. Maintain a healthy weight. Reduce stress and exercise regularly. Do not smoke or use illegal drugs.

      Eat a diet high in whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Increase your consumption of cold-water fish like salmon, tuna and halibut. Get at least 35 grams of fiber in your daily diet.

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