What is ischemic stroke: symptoms and causes of cerebral ischemia

Our brain is perhaps the most delicate part of our body and it is tremendously sensitive to interruptions in blood flow. If you do not receive the oxygen and nutrients you need, you can suffer irreparable damage and you have to be aware of the symptoms that this causes to act as soon as possible. We tell you what ischemic stroke is and how to recognize it.

What is ischemic stroke?

A cerebral ischemia (either Ischemic stroke) it happens when not enough blood flow to the brainwhich prevents brain tissue from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs.

Brain tissue stops working seconds after it is deprived of the supply of oxygen and glucose provided by blood flow and starts dying after 5 minutes. In other parts of the body, on the other hand, this occurs after 20-40 minutes.

The severity of brain damage due to cerebral ischemia will depend on two factors: how long has the brain been without blood flow and which part has been affected.

That is why the cerebral ischemia is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If left untreated it can cause death or significant and permanent brain damage.

Causes of cerebral ischemia

Cerebral ischemia can affect the whole brain (global) or to a single area (focal):

Focal brain ischemia affects an area of ​​the brain supplied by an artery and is one of the leading causes of disability and death Worldwide. It happens when a blood clot clogs a blood vessel in the brain and reduces blood flow to a specific area of ​​the brain. It may be caused by a thrombosis (when the clot has formed in the wall of the cerebral artery) or a embolism (if the clot originated elsewhere in the body, such as the heart).global brain ischemia occurs when the blood flow to the brain stops or is reducedsomething that is often the result of a heart attack.

Cerebral ischemia is associated with various diseases such as blood vessel problemsthe plaque buildup in the arteries, very low blood pressure as a result of a heart attack, congenital heart defects or sickle cell anemia.

In rare cases, a infection can lead to cerebral ischemia (in fact, it is believed that infection by the covid-19 virus may increase risk).

The main risk factors related to cerebral ischemia are the obesity, not practicing physical exercisethe hypertensionthe diabetesatrial fibrillation, having the high cholesterol and smoke.

Cerebral ischemia: symptoms

Main symptoms of cerebral ischemia include:

Problems with vision, movement, and speech.difficulty understanding what others say.Weakness or paralysis in the face and bodywhich often affects only one side of the body.Loss of consciousness.Blindness or double vision.coordination problems.Headache sudden and intenseDizziness or vertigo.

These measures can help distinguish cerebral ischemia quickly:

raise both arms above the head: if one falls down, it is a sign of stroke or cerebral ischemia.Smile. If one side of the mouth droops, this is a sure sign. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and see if it costs you.

If you or someone you are with experiences any of the symptoms of cerebral ischemia, call 911 immediatelybecause the more time passes without receiving medical attention, the consequences can be worse.

How is cerebral ischemia different from stroke?

The term ictus (or cerebrovascular accident) encompasses all neurological lesions that have a vascular cause. That is to say, cerebral ischemia is a type of strokealong with subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage (which are due to a ruptured blood vessel in the brain).

In fact, cerebral ischemia It is the most common type of stroke and represents 87% of all strokes.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and its prevalence increases with age: almost 75% of cases affect people over 65 years of age. It is more common among African-Americans and Hispanics than among Caucasians, and it affects almost as much men as women.

What is the treatment for cerebral ischemia?

The treatment of cerebral ischemia is aimed at correcting its cause and achieving a adequate cerebral blood flow.

It may consist of medications to dissolve blood clots or reduce the chance of blood clotting and may also include surgery to remove clots.

Rehabilitation is often needed to recover the affected brain functions, such as speech, movements, etc.

After recovery, it is essential to make a change in habits to avoid a second cerebral ischemia and quitting tobacco, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.

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