What Are the Symptoms of an Ischemic Stroke?

Stroke, also referred to as a "brain attack," is a medical emergency, and recognizing its symptoms can reduce potential complications and the risk of death. Fortunately, ischemic stroke is a preventable condition and there is treatment available if the symptoms are recognized quickly.

Types

• According to the American Stroke Association, symptoms of an ischemic stroke include the sudden onset of any of the following: numbness in the face or on one side of the body; confusion; loss of vision or coordination; difficulty walking; and severe headache without an obvious cause.

Identification

• A doctor may conduct neurological tests, an eye exam, blood tests, and brain imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the location, size and severity of an ischemic stroke, according to the American Association of Retired Persons.

Causes

• Symptoms from an ischemic stroke are the result of a severe lack of blood flow to the brain, caused by either a narrowed artery or a blocked artery in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Risk Factors

• According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, personal history of cardiovascular disease, family history of stroke or heart disease, the use of certain drugs and medications, and older age are risk factors for ischemic stroke.

Treatments

• If a person with ischemic stroke symptoms is evaluated by a doctor within three hours of the start of symptoms, treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may be given to reduce the severity of complications, according to the American Stroke Association.

Prevention/Solution

• Maintaining a normal blood pressure and healthy weight; exercising and managing stress; eating a diet low in sodium, fat and cholesterol; quitting smoking, drinking only in moderation or not at all; and taking aspirin as recommended by a doctor can prevent ischemic stroke.