Pre-stroke condition - what is it, causes, risks, signs

Cerebral circulatory disorders are an acute weakening of the nutrition of cerebral structures.

This process is a temporary disorder and does not cause permanent neurological deficits; moreover, it lasts much less than necrosis.

Pre-stroke condition is a short-term deviation in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nerve tissues of the brain. Another name is transient ischemic attack. Acts as an emergency condition.

It is impossible to make a diagnosis by eye. The clinical picture is fully consistent with a stroke, so the patient must be urgently transported to a hospital.

The manifestations are classic: general brain symptoms coexist with focal ones, depending on the location of the disorder. Thus, deviations in vision, hearing, speech, and higher nervous activity are possible. Less cardiac and respiratory activity if the central nervous system is affected.

Pathology is not primary. It is always secondary, caused by other processes. Most often atherosclerosis. The prognosis directly depends on the etiological factor.

Symptoms

The signs are varied, and it is not easy to understand on your own what is happening. For general reasons, the FAST technique is used.

This is a mnemonic technique aimed at remembering the basic algorithm of actions to identify a pre-stroke condition or actual necrosis of cerebral structures. The measure relates to first aid.

Accordingly, the manifestations will be as follows:

Face or face. Against the background of brain damage, paresis or paralysis of facial muscles occurs. As a rule, on one side. Defined as skew. You need to ask the patient to smile. If it is impossible or there is severe asymmetry, the symptom is recorded. Most likely, acute ischemia occurs.
Arm or hand. Pre-stroke can be recognized by weakness of the muscles of the upper extremities. The patient cannot lift both of them above his head at once, much less hold them in this position for a long time.
Speech. Speech. The speaking process is disrupted. The voice is weak, the phrases are slurred. There may be a complete lack of function.
Time. Time. An indication that if any of the named signs are detected, an emergency team must be urgently called.

All symptoms of pre-stroke are divided into generalized or general and focal (typical for damage to a specific lobe of the brain).

The first ones occur in patients with cerebrovascular accidents. Everyone, without exception.

Intense headache. It can be unbearable. Accompanies the victim throughout the acute condition. By nature - baling. Feeling as if someone is hitting the back of the head and parietal area with a hammer. Follows the beat of the heart.
Weakness, general asthenia. The patient cannot stand on his feet, and a decrease in muscle tone is detected.
Nausea, vomiting. They are relatively rare. In this case, the episode of gastric emptying does not bring relief. This is not poisoning. Stimulation of special centers of the brain occurs against the background of ischemia and a decrease in the quality of nutrition of the area. The process is reflexive in nature and lasts several minutes.
Impaired consciousness. By type of fainting. Usually shallow, the patient is easily brought out of syncope.

There are many more focal manifestations. The exact symptoms depend on the location of the lesion.

Frontal lobe

Responsible for creativity, behavioral factors, thinking and its productivity, partly for coordination, and other functions.

Possible signs include:

Disturbances of mnestic and cognitive processes. The patient is not able to think adequately, there are illogical statements or complete apathy, lack of reactions to the surrounding reality.

This is a common occurrence. May be characterized as stupor. The entire acute period continues.

Unsteadiness of gait. Inability to walk in a straight line. A typical symptom of neurological abnormalities, but not specific.
Foolishness in behavior, tearfulness, emotional, affective disorders.
Numbness or paralysis of the half of the body opposite the source of the lesion.

Parietal lobe

Responsible for the basic mnestic functions of the logical series. Invoice, letter, etc.

Inability to perform simple arithmetic operations, perceive information on physical media, or write independently.
Olfactory hallucinations.
False tactile sensations. Like paresthesia, non-existent touches, goosebumps running all over the body.

These are manifestations of the so-called irritation (irritation) of the cortex, which responds with artificially induced signals.

These impulses move as part of feedback to the nerve endings that the skin is rich in.

Temporal lobes

Epileptic seizures. Type of tonic-clonic convulsions, loss of consciousness. Episodes may occur more than once during one pre-stroke condition. This is a negative sign.
Memory impairments of various forms.
Olfactory hallucinations.
Complex syndromes such as oneiric stupefaction. It is a complex deception of the senses. The patient sees what is not there, feels false images.
Violation of the process of analyzing audio information. In particular, it is impossible to perceive and understand the logic of oral speech and the meaning of the interlocutors’ statements.

Occipital lobe

Responsible for analyzing visual information, at the same time, the cerebellum is located here. The disorder and its work develops.

A typical symptom is the simplest visual hallucinations and illusions. Feeling of flickering, flashes (photopsia), fog, scotomas (areas of loss of perception in the form of black spots).
Transient blindness. Temporary total loss of vision.
Dizziness, uneven gait. Disorientation in space.

Brain stem

Lesions in this area pose the greatest danger to the patient’s life, even outside of a stroke, because important body functions are weakened.

Irregularity of breathing, cardiac activity. Dangerous arrhythmias and cessation of muscle structure (asystole) occur.
Deep fainting (falling into a coma).

Symptoms before a stroke are nonspecific - headache, nausea, disturbances in the functioning of the sensory organs, confusion, and fainting. They are identical to those with a full-fledged stroke, only they last somewhat less.

Symptoms of the pre-stroke condition last for about several hours, or at most a day. Less is possible, more is never. This is the basis for revising the diagnosis.

Etiology

The pre-stroke condition has a wide range of predisposing factors, among which it is worth highlighting:

intense physical activity;
prolonged exposure to stress or emotional stress;
sharp fluctuations in blood pressure;
hereditary predisposition to pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Knowing this, a person can quickly prevent the development of such a condition and, as a result, a stroke. To do this, you just need to seek qualified help at the first change in your health;
increased blood cholesterol levels;
long-term addiction to addictions, in particular drinking alcohol and smoking;
the person is overweight;
uncontrolled use of certain medications, for example, contraceptives or weight loss medications;
poor nutrition;
prolonged hypothermia or, conversely, overheating of the body;
increased sensitivity to changes in atmospheric pressure;
violation of the blood clotting process;
the presence of diabetes mellitus or persistent arterial hypertension;
long bed rest;
the presence of pathologies of the heart or blood vessels.

It is worth noting that up to the age of sixty, mainly males suffer from this disease, and at the age of over sixty, women suffer. In addition, it is female representatives who suffer more severely from the pre-stroke condition, despite the fact that their symptoms of the disease are no different. In cases of stroke, women do not return to normal life as quickly as men, and in some cases remain bedridden. Mortality from ignoring the clinical signs of a pre-stroke condition occurs more often among the fairer sex.

What to do at home

First aid must be provided to the patient. Or to yourself, if the condition took you by surprise and there is no one nearby.

The first aid algorithm at home is as follows:

The first warning signs should be grounds for calling an ambulance. Moreover, if at least one sign is present according to the FAST method.

It helps determine the pre-stroke condition by muscle tone, innervation of the facial muscles and ability to speak. The main functions of the central nervous system are assessed.

Before the doctors arrive, you need to open the window to provide fresh air. This is a way to partially restore normal gas exchange. Accordingly, the risk of transforming the condition into a full-fledged stroke is reduced.
Sit down and relax. It is not recommended to take medications unless a possible emergency has been discussed with your doctor. In this case, you need to take the prescribed pills.
Measure blood pressure. In the setting of a pre-stroke, blood pressure levels are usually below normal. Insignificant. With severe disturbances, the tonometer readings drop further. The level assessment is repeated every 20 minutes.
Move as little as possible. It is not recommended to lie down, so as not to disrupt the already fragile hemodynamics. Do not raise your arms and legs high, so as not to increase peripheral blood flow due to a drop in cerebral blood flow.
Calm down. Nerves and negative emotions lead to the release of adrenal hormones and catecholamines, which have a vasoconstrictor effect. Tissue trophism will weaken and only get worse.

Upon arrival, doctors will tell you about your condition. Brief and to the point. Next, the issue of transportation to the hospital is resolved.

There are no options, because sensible medical workers will not risk leaving the patient in place. A stroke is possible; it will not be possible to distinguish it “by eye” from transient ischemia.

Under no circumstances should you refuse. Is it dangerous.

Disease prevention

Prevention of stroke, regardless of gender, is:

Reducing the amount of salt and fat consumed;
Control of blood sugar levels, especially with diabetes;
Complete smoking cessation;
Indifference to alcohol;
Morning exercises and any other physical activity you like;
Monitoring blood pressure and timely treatment if it increases;
Adequate sleep;
Weight control; if you are overweight, the risk of vascular damage increases significantly;
Timely and sufficient intake of medications as prescribed by a doctor, self-medication is not acceptable;
Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. During stressful situations, cortisol increases in the blood; read how to reduce it here.

Diagnostics

It is already carried out in stationary conditions. The main specialist is a neurologist. To begin with, the general condition of the patient is assessed.

As necessary, the patient is removed from an acute situation and primary care is provided.

Then they wait for stabilization of well-being and restoration of hemodynamics. At the end of the critical phase, you can begin the examination.

The events are:

Oral survey. When did the disturbances begin, what sensations did the patient experience, what is the situation now. Anamnesis collection. Pathologies, family history, bad habits, lifestyle in general.
Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. Usually both indicators are within normal limits at the end of the acute phase. These are routine techniques. They allow you to put forward hypotheses regarding the condition and help determine the vector of further management.
Daily monitoring according to indications. Makes it possible to diagnose cardiac pathologies and arterial hypertension.
Electrocardiography. Used to clarify the nature of functional disorders of cardiac structures.
EEG. Evaluates brain activity.
MRI. According to indications, if there is a need to identify suspected damage to cerebral tissue. Distinguish the pre-stroke condition from necrosis.
Biochemical blood test. Doctors are mainly interested in low- and high-density lipid levels. Simply put, these are cholesterol levels slightly expanded from those in the general clinical study. Used to diagnose atherosclerosis.
Dopplerography of neck vessels, including the vertebrobasilar region, carotid artery, cerebral structures. Duplex scanning. Used to determine blood flow speed and nutrition quality. Perhaps the main technique in diagnosing the causes of a pre-stroke condition.

For what purpose is such an extensive arsenal of activities used? The main task is far from identifying the consequences of pathology. Although this is important. Doctors are trying to find the origin factor. That is, what provoked acute ischemia, because the next step in the progression of the disease is a stroke.

Causes

In 95% of cases, stroke occurs due to blockage of the vascular lumen associated with atherosclerotic damage to the cerebral arteries, or due to cardiogenic embolism. Among the risk factors for the development of pathology, non-modifiable and modifiable are distinguished. In the first case, we are talking about age over 50 years and hereditary predisposition. Modifiable factors:

History of arterial hypertension.
Smoking, abuse of alcoholic beverages.
History of dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism disorder).
History of pathologies of the heart (ischemic disease, atrial fibrillation) and blood vessels (atherosclerosis, thrombosis).
Unhealthy lifestyle (overweight, low physical activity, stress, poor nutrition).
History of diabetes mellitus.
Taking oral contraceptives.

Clinical predictors (harbingers) of stroke are hemodynamic crises - a violation of regional and systemic hemodynamics (blood movement through the vessels). About 60% of stroke episodes correlate with a hypertensive crisis (a serious condition provoked by a significant increase in blood pressure).

Repeated ischemic attacks of the transistor (transient) type (TIA) indicate a high risk of stroke. Statistics show that the risk of developing acute cerebral blood flow disorders is higher among men. Among female patients, there is a greater likelihood of death after a stroke.

Treatment

It is carried out using several methods. There are three tasks. Relieve symptoms and residual signs, eliminate the root cause and prevent relapses.

Drug correction involves the use of the following drugs:

Antihypertensives if there is a stable increase in blood pressure. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium antagonists, centrally acting agents, diuretics with a mild potassium-sparing effect.
Statins. For the rapid removal of cholesterol and the elimination of already formed plaques, provided that they have not hardened due to calcium salts. Atoris as the main one.
Anticoagulants and antithrombotic. Eliminate blood clots. They are not allowed to form. Restore the fluidity and rheological properties of liquid connective tissue. Heparin or Aspirin-Cardio.
Angioprotectors. Protects blood vessels from destruction.

Other medications as indicated. If medications are ineffective or obviously ineffective, surgical treatment is prescribed.

It is mainly needed for advanced atherosclerosis, vascular defects, such as congenital anomalies or aneurysms, and other processes.

The tactics are selected by the doctor. Open interventions are now used less and less often, preferring endoscopic operations. Therefore the risks are minimal.

A radical change in lifestyle is shown. Refusal of smoking, alcohol, psychoactive substances, and independent uncontrolled use of any drugs.

Walking for 2 hours a day or more is recommended, but the main thing is not to overexert yourself. Limit salt intake to 7 grams per day. Get at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night.

It makes sense to adjust your diet. Less fat, more protein and vitamins. A standard treatment table No. 10 will do. You need to approach adapting it to yourself creatively so that the diet does not turn into a routine chore.

Attention:

Traditional methods are not effective. This is a waste of energy, time, disappointed hopes and a loss of a precious moment to start therapy.

Moreover, some “grandmother’s recipes” carry potential dangers. You should not resort to such dubious methods of treatment.

The total duration of therapy and rehabilitation is 3-6 months. Then it is important to follow simple rules of prevention to prevent relapse. Including diet, giving up bad habits, minimal physical activity, avoiding stress and mastering relaxation techniques.

Precursors of stroke and pre-stroke conditions

Although a stroke is an acute condition, it rarely develops against a background of complete well-being. Usually, the onset of irreversible changes in the brain is still preceded by signs called precursors of stroke. Almost always, precursors precede an ischemic stroke, since such a stroke develops mainly subacutely, within a few hours.

If ischemia of a region of the brain occurs due to vascular spasm, then the signs of focal cerebral symptoms that develop against this background can be reversible and, with properly provided assistance, regress within a few minutes or hours. You need to know these signs, since at this stage the situation can still be taken under control and a serious irreversible complication can be prevented.

Pre-stroke conditions include transient ischemic attack (or transient cerebrovascular accident), cerebral hypertensive crises, and hypertensive encephalopathy.

In persons with risk factors, the appearance of such symptoms is always a reason to call an ambulance:

A sharp headache, especially in combination with blood pressure values that are unusual for a given patient (above or below normal working blood pressure).
Nausea, vomiting.
Severe dizziness, severe imbalance.
Numbness of half the face, half the body or individual limbs.
Facial asymmetry (drooping of the corner of the mouth on one side, deviation of the tongue to the side).
Weakness in an arm or leg on one side. Its severity varies - from some awkwardness to complete paralysis.
facial asymmetry is a sign of a stroke, noticeable to others.
Speech impairment (speech is blurred, slurred, or the patient cannot say a word). An alarming symptom is also if the patient begins to confuse words, rearrange syllables and letters. Sudden hoarseness may also occur.
Impaired perception of spoken language (the patient does not understand you).
Visual impairment: double vision, loss of certain parts of the visual field, impaired lateral vision, or sudden blindness in one eye.
Swallowing disorders - choking, inability to swallow solid food, as well as liquids.
Sudden confusion of consciousness, disorientation in space and time.
Cramps.

infographics: AiF

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a sudden onset of one or more of the symptoms described above. The only difference from a real stroke is that the symptoms go away within a short time (from a few minutes to 24 hours).

Cerebral hypertensive crisis is a sharp increase in blood pressure, accompanied by cerebral symptoms: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision.

The most severe form of cerebral hypertensive crisis is acute hypertensive encephalopathy. This complication occurs in the malignant course of hypertension, eclampsia, kidney disease, pheochromocytoma. In addition to severe headache and nausea, this condition is characterized by disturbances of consciousness ranging from confusion to daze and stupor. Visual impairment may occur due to retinal hemorrhage or seizures.

Video: signs of stroke - expert opinion

Causes

The main one was and remains atherosclerosis. This is a narrowing or blockage of blood vessels with cholesterol plaques. It can be easily eliminated only in the early stages; in advanced stages, surgery is required.

In second place is hypertension. With high, persistent performance.

Impairment of the pumping function of the heart is slightly behind. The myocardium is not able to contract with the required force, hence the lack of nutrition of all organs and systems in the systemic circulation.

Other reasons are much less common.

Male symptoms of the disease

Stroke in men ranks 4th in mortality among all diseases.

Symptoms of stroke in men:

Loss of coordination and unsteadiness of gait;
Difficulty in verbal communication;
Disturbance in orientation in the surrounding world;
Decreased hearing and vision;
Weakness that appeared in an instant.
Increased body temperature.

It should be taken into account that with minor damage, the symptoms are mild.

Risk factors

They do not directly cause the onset of a pre-stroke condition, but they increase the likelihood of it almost three times, and even more (depending on the specific moment).

Smoking.
Old age 60+. The pathology also occurs in persons slightly younger, minus 10 years.
Being male.
A history of cardiovascular diseases, as well as endocrine diagnoses.
Unfavorable family history, burdened heredity.
Alcohol abuse, drug addiction.
Inadequate sleep.
Unbalanced diet.
Acclimatization, moving to another geographical region with different weather and temperature conditions.
Menopause in women, as well as menopause in the stronger sex. Hormonal changes, attenuation of the body’s basic reproductive functions.

The patient can correct most of the factors presented on his own. Apart from age.

But in this case, it is enough to regularly consult with a neurologist and other specialists. According to indications.

The difference between pre-stroke and micro-stroke

Pre-stroke is a series of pathological changes in the patient’s body that precede the development of stroke, but do not have such destructive power and consequences. The brain tissues are not yet damaged; they experience ischemia of varying severity. If you catch these signs in time, a stroke can be prevented.

A microstroke is an already existing violation of cerebral circulation at the capillary level, but with the same sad consequences as a major stroke. In this case, small areas of brain tissue are destroyed; the pathological change is not critical and may even go unnoticed, since the impaired blood flow is restored almost immediately. But the consequences remain and, if left untreated, can provoke a major stroke or other complications associated with the blood circulation of the brain.

Signs of a microstroke are:

severe headache, often reminiscent of a migraine;
dizziness;
numbness of the limbs and face, loss of sensitivity;
blood pressure jump;
lack of coordination;
short-term loss of consciousness;
intolerance to bright light.

The combination of several of these symptoms is a reason to urgently seek medical help. Throwing everything away due to fatigue is unacceptable. If no more than six hours have passed since their occurrence, then treatment will minimize losses from a micro-stroke and will make it possible to almost completely restore brain function.

The worst thing is that micro-stroke most often develops in young people: from 18 to 30 years old, it is provoked by magnetic storms, sleepless nights after discos and drinking alcohol, preparing for sessions and even overexertion in the gym. Delay in this case is truly like death.

Trigger factors

They act as direct triggers.

Consumption of alcohol in any quantity.
Smoking. Due to a sharp spasm of cerebral vessels, basilar, carotid arteries.
Stress, intense mental stress.
Excessive, inappropriate physical activity. With little or insufficient training.
Sharp tilt. Patients with possible pathologies of the cardiovascular system need to exercise extreme caution. All movements are smooth, gradual. It’s better not to bend at the waist at all, but to squat if you need to lift something.
Acute pain syndrome.

All points are subject to evaluation. Their independent correction is possible.

Treatment in hospital

After the victim is admitted to the hospital, the disorder will be treated in the intensive care unit.

It is believed that the worst was avoided if during the first day the attack was completely stopped and normal blood circulation in the brain was restored. Only in this case is the patient diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

The most effective way to restore blood flow in patients with a pre-stroke condition is systemic thrombolysis.

The patient is prescribed drugs and medications belonging to the group of thrombolytics, such as:

Streptokinase.
Urokinase.
Alteplase.

Drug treatment also includes taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents:

Heparin.
Clopidogrel-Teva.
Acetylsalicylic acid.
Triflusal.
Fenilin.
Neodicoumarin.
Warfarin

They prevent platelets from sticking to each other and prevent them from attaching to the walls of blood vessels. Antiplatelet agents are given to the patient immediately to eliminate the symptoms of the pre-stroke condition and are prescribed for life to prevent the development of ischemic stroke.

To maintain a normal blood pressure level, patients are prescribed medications from the group of antihypertensive drugs:

Valsartan.
Losartan.
Lisinopril.

To improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue, restore interneuron connections and strengthen vascular walls, vasoactive agents are prescribed:

Nootropil.
Cortexin.
Mexidol.

For atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid artery, surgical treatment can be performed - endarterectomy.

This medical procedure involves removing atherosclerotic plaques and is aimed at restoring full blood flow. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent recurrent ischemic attacks in advance.

At-risk groups

A stroke can affect anyone; it is very serious, since acute cerebrovascular accident is becoming one of the most common causes of death. There are no age or gender gradations for adult patients. There are special risk groups that require triple attention to the signs of the pre-stroke condition of patients included in them. This category includes men and women suffering from:

hematological diseases;
cardiovascular pathology;
pre-fainting states;
vertigo;
high blood pressure;
alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking;
constant stress;
diabetes mellitus;
obesity;
atherosclerosis.

Pre-stroke can be triggered by heredity or taking weight loss medications.

First aid

If the first symptoms of a pre-stroke occur, it is recommended to immediately call an ambulance. When talking with the emergency dispatcher, you should describe the patient’s symptoms and also report blood pressure levels.

What to do in a pre-stroke condition before the ambulance arrives:

The person should be placed on a sofa or bed, with a pillow placed under the head;
while waiting for an ambulance, the patient should lie down constantly, and should not perform any physical actions;
It is advisable for the future patient to relax the collar so that air flow can enter it;
if a person has the urge to vomit, it is recommended to turn his head to the side so that the vomit does not penetrate into the respiratory tract;
if your blood pressure level was not checked before calling an ambulance, it is recommended to determine it;
if the patient has previously had this condition and has been prescribed medications, then he should be given these medications, but not more than the recommended dose.

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The first signs of pre-stroke in women

Signs of an ischemic stroke manifest themselves through weakness, tinnitus, severe headache and nausea. In women, as a rule, pre-stroke occurs late in the day or before the morning, so it is very difficult to determine. The full picture of this type of disease appears in two hours.

Within 7 days, the patient may have up to 7 ischemic attacks, after which a stroke occurs. If a blood clot breaks off in a patient and an artery or vein is blocked, then all the symptoms of a stroke will be obvious.

Typical and atypical symptoms

A stroke is a pathological change in the blood supply to the brain, the cause of which is blockage of the vascular lumen or internal bleeding. The disease is characterized by dangerous complications and consequences.

Stroke: symptoms and first signs in women are not very different from those in men. As soon as the first manifestations of the disease are noticed, the patient must immediately provide first aid and call a doctor in order to avoid possible risks and dangerous pathologies of the brain.

What is a brain stroke?

A stroke is usually called a cerebral stroke - an aggravated failure of blood supply that appears in the vascular network of the brain.

A stroke can occur under different circumstances and for different reasons, for example: thrombosis, hemorrhage, spasmodic phenomena, etc.

As a result, some part of the brain stops receiving blood, and can remain unharmed and functional only for a short period of time. Therefore, the pre-stroke condition requires urgent medical attention.

In this situation, fear and confusion are unforgivable. Activities must be carried out smoothly and quickly. If everyone has the skills to help, then the patient will have a better chance of survival, and of recovering from a stroke and continuing to live a full life.

Causes and types of stroke

In women, stroke is hemorrhagic or ischemic.

Ischemic stroke

The causes of stroke in women are the appearance of thrombotic formations that block the lumen of the vessel, atherosclerosis, prolonged spasm of the vascular walls, which causes a stop in the blood supply to the brain area. Symptoms and first signs of such a stroke occur in older women.

However, young girls are not immune from the disease. And in women, ischemic stroke occurs more often than in men.

If atherosclerosis, diabetic disease, chronic high blood pressure, excess weight, ischemia, severe surgery or childbirth with complications are diagnosed, then the risk of this type of stroke increases.

Quite often, grandmothers show signs of a micro-stroke, called a transient ischemic attack. In this case, the brain temporarily lacks oxygen, for example: due to osteochondrosis.

The condition is transitory, so it can end painlessly and without consequences.

However, treatment cannot be ignored in adulthood, since a repeated micro- and regular stroke may develop in the same area of the brain.

Signs of stroke in women over 50 years of age are the most dangerous. Women who smoke and take hormonal pills are at risk. People who are subject to excessive emotional outbursts, women who have had abortions, and those who have disruptions in the hormonal system are at risk of getting a stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke

This type of stroke is the most severe type of blood supply disorder, as it causes hemorrhage in the brain tissue and dangerous consequences.

It often develops in women over sixty years of age who suffer from chronic atherosclerosis and hypertension. But you should not assume that young women will never show signs of a hemorrhagic stroke.

In young years, the appearance of this disease is associated with rupture of an aortic aneurysm.

Let's consider the specific features of female stroke:

Source: https://lechiserdce.ru/sosudyi/11738-pervyie-priznaki-insulta-u-zhenshhin-simptomyi.html

How to recognize a stroke in a woman and provide first aid

A stroke is a sudden development of a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. In this case, the blood vessels of the brain become clogged or rupture.

Stroke in women

There are many reasons for this condition, but most often it is hypertension and other vascular diseases. There are two types of this emergency condition:

- Ischemic stroke. In this case, one or another brain vessel becomes blocked, which leads to oxygen starvation and necrosis of brain tissue occurs. This condition occurs most often, and its consequences are easier to treat.

- Hemorrhagic stroke. Rupture of cerebral vessels leads to hemorrhage.

The risk of developing some form of stroke increases with age. This disease leads among other pathologies that can lead to disability, and is in third place among the causes of death.

The following periods of stroke are distinguished. The duration of the acute period is 24 hours, after which it turns into an acute period, which lasts from 1 to 21 days.

Subacute begins after 21 days and continues until the third month. The early recovery period is the period from the third to the sixth month, the late recovery period lasts from six months to a year.

After 12 months, the period of consequences begins.

It takes a lot of effort and time to overcome the disease. Stroke is difficult to treat. It is not always possible to prevent it, even if the causes that lead to the disease and the first signs of this condition are known.

Timely medical care, if the first signs of a stroke are detected in women, can prevent the development of serious consequences and avoid death.

Signs to identify a stroke

Symptoms depend on which area of the brain is affected. If the right side is affected, signs of a stroke in women will appear on the left. If there is a problem on the left side, symptoms appear on the right.

Another unusual harbinger of the disease is an epileptic attack, during which the person loses consciousness. If seizures occur, you must act immediately.

The patient should be placed on his side on a pillow, supporting his head. Foam that appears from the mouth must be wiped off with a towel to avoid it entering the respiratory tract.

It is necessary to ensure that the person does not bite his tongue, for which the handle of a spoon is inserted between the teeth.

Classic symptoms

The first signs of a stroke in a woman are headache, dizziness, vomiting, and seizures. In this case, sometimes the temperature may rise, loss of orientation in time and space, and visual impairment.
Signs of stroke in young women may include acute depression and other emotional disorders.

Unconventional signs

Unconventional symptoms are more common in women than in men. Such signs include the appearance of general weakness, nausea, pain in the face, chest or limbs, difficulty breathing, palpitations, hiccups. The most common symptom is mental disorders, which may be associated with the emotional characteristics of women.

The first symptoms of a stroke that manifest themselves in this way are a reason to provide first aid.

Additional signs

To make sure that a woman’s condition is associated specifically with a stroke and not with other causes, it is necessary to pay attention to some points.

Signs of a stroke in women can be suspected by the asymmetry of the smile, when one part of the face is motionless.

You need to ask the woman to say a phrase. If difficulties arise with this, a circulatory disorder may be suspected.

If a woman, having raised her arms, cannot keep them in this position, this may also indicate this disease.

Such symptoms help to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and provide first aid.

What is the difference between cerebrovascular accidents in women and men?

In addition to the classic signs of stroke, there are some symptoms that are characteristic of one or another gender of patients. For example, in men the disease more often occurs after 40 years, in women - after 60.

Diagnostics in a medical institution

After the ambulance arrives, it is recommended to place the patient in a hospital for further monitoring of his condition. In addition, in the subsequent period, a number of examinations are carried out to identify the mechanism of the ischemic form of stroke:

computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain;
Ultrasound of cerebral arteries;
conducting a general blood test;
it is necessary to examine the parameters of the coagulation system, glucose and lipid levels.

Treatment for stroke

Stroke is treated as follows:

If a patient is diagnosed with a hemorrhagic form of stroke , the main task of the EMS is to lower blood pressure and reduce the formation of a hemorrhage focus. Antihypertensive drugs are administered intravenously, which allows you to quickly reduce the pressure in the bloodstream, thereby reducing bleeding.
If surgery is possible , neurosurgery is performed in the hospital. In which the spilled blood that compresses the nerves and vessels of the brain is removed and, if possible, a special clip is installed at the site of the ruptured vessel (in case of a rupture of an aneurysm). If there is a breakthrough and hemorrhage in the ventricles of the brain, surgery is necessary.
In case of ischemic damage to the brain, the main goal of therapy will be to reduce the consequences of cerebral ischemia and restore blood circulation.
Thrombolytic therapy is the administration of drugs that help dissolve a blood clot. Effective only in the first hours of the disease, they can cause significant complications. It is carried out only in a hospital with extensive intensive care.
The introduction of anticoagulants can reduce the occurrence of new blood clots and accelerate the resorption of existing ones. Inadmissible if you have a tendency to bleed.
Antiplatelet agents reduce platelet aggregation and prevent the risk of new blood clots from decreasing. Higher effect in prevention.
Despite the complex of measures taken, brain neurons die in the affected area of the brain . To reduce this process, neuroprotectors are used. The patient takes these drugs for at least a year after discharge from the hospital, followed by a course of lifelong use.
If the vessel is completely blocked, surgical intervention is possible.
In both types of stroke, one of the serious complications is cerebral edema . To prevent it, osmotic diuretics are used. If edema develops, additional death of brain cells occurs due to increased intracranial pressure.

During the first 3 days in the hospital, the patient is examined to make an accurate diagnosis. The location and extent of the lesion are determined.

To do this:

Ultrasound;
X-ray of the skull;
computed tomography;
if necessary, vascular examination - angiography.

Damage to the brain can occur simultaneously with damage to the blood vessels of the heart. To exclude a heart attack, the heart must be examined . In the first days, the main task remains to maintain vital organs in working condition and prevent the development of complications. If possible, specific treatment.