Stroke (CVA)
About Stroke (CVA)
A sudden malfunction of the brain caused by disease of the brain's blood supply. Hemorrhagic strokes involve rupturing of a blood vessel, with bleeding into the brain. In the more common thromboembolic strokes, the blood supply to a part of the brain suddenly stops, either from a blocked artery in the brain caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or by a blood clot that travels from another area like the heart, and lodges in a brain artery (an embolus). The symptoms experienced depend on the artery that ruptures, or is blocked. Survival and the best outcome depend on seeking medical care immediately. Also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).Symptoms
Sudden weakness of an arm, leg, side of the face, or any part of the body. Numbness, decreased sensation, vision changes, slurred speech, inability to speak, inability to understand speech, difficulty reading or writing, swallowing difficulty, drooling, loss of memory, vertigo (spinning sensation), loss of balance or coordination, drowsiness, lethargy, or loss of consciousness, uncontrollable eye movements, double vision.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to identify the stroke and the cause of the stroke will be performed.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, EKG, MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray.
OTC sleep aids and supportive treatments
Prescription medications
- Atorvastatin
- Clopidogrel
- Fenofibrate
- Tizanidine
- Ezetimibe
- Rosuvastatin
- Prasugrel
- Colestipol
- Clonidine
- Warfarin
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Dantrolene Oral
- Cholestyramine Resin
- Dipyridamole
- Indapamide
- Pentoxifylline
- Gemfibrozil
- Lovastatin
- Nimodipine
- Pravastatin
- Ramipril
- Simvastatin
- Fluvastatin
- Losartan
- Ticlopidine
- Colesevelam
- Aspirin and Extended-Release Dipyridamole
Conventional treatment summary
A stroke is a medical emergency. Therapy depends on the size of the stroke, the medications the patient is taking, how long the symptoms have been present and other associated diseases. Treatment may include: blood pressure medication, anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel/Plavix), anticoagulants (heparin, enoxaparin, warfarin), thrombolysis (tissue plasminogen activator/t-PA), intravascular thrombolysis, physical therapy, speech therapy, and/or occupational therapy. For more information contact: American Heart Association Stroke Connection: (888)478-7653 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: (800)352-9424 National Stroke Association: (800)787-6537Medical specialties
Neurology · Pediatric Neurology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Stroke (CVA).