When blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, then nerve cells stop functioning properly. If the blood flow is rapidly restored and no cells are lost, then this is referred to as a transient ischemic attack. However, if the blood flow is not restored before cell death occurs, then this is referred to as a stroke or cerebral vascular accident. In clinical practice, if the symptoms last longer than 24 hours, it is considered a stroke. If the symptoms last less than 24 hours, it is considered a transient ischemic attack. Most transient ischemic attacks last less than 30 minutes.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are approximately 500,000 new strokes each year. Most patients with strokes survive and the cost to society to care for these patients is enormous. Many stroke victims are left with permanent weakness (paralysis), sensory loss (numbness), visual loss (blindness), loss of ability to understand language (aphasia), and problems with balance and walking (ataxia). Fortunately, many strokes are minor and patients can return to their former work and lifestyle but, for many, they are permanently unable to return to work or live independently.

For those who have had a stroke, I found a good book to recommend about one man's journey to rewire his own brain and his advice to others. You can find it on my book recommendation page.

There is treatment available to dissolve the blood clots in those patients who arrive at the emergency room fast enough and the treatment article discusses this medication. Many strokes are preventable and the prevention article explores some of the therapy currently used to prevent future strokes. Atrial fibrillation is a cause of potentially preventable strokes. This is discussed in more detail on the atrial fibrillation web page. Dr. Loftus and the Diagnostic Clinic of Houston previously participated in trials comparing Exanta® or Ximelagatran to Coumadin® in a double blinded fashion. Results are summarized on the Exanta page.