What is a Large Stroke?

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A serious health complication, a stroke is caused by the disruption of the blood flow to the brain. The magnitude of the stroke depends on the area of the brain which is affected by the stroke. There are various categories in which a stroke is divided as per its severity. Large stroke or large vessel stroke is one of them.

A type of ischemic stroke, large vessel stroke occurs when there is an interruption in the blood flow in one of the large arteries in the brain. The blockage in the large arteries also affects the small arteries leading to damage in a considerable part of the brain.

What is the cause of large stroke?

The main cause of a large stroke is the blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The tissues that do not receive the blood supply due to the disruption start losing their function and can even die if brain stroke treatment is not given in time.

 The blockage is caused by the blood clots that usually forms in the heart and travels from anywhere in the body. A travelling blood clot is called ‘embolus’ while one which is formed within the blood vessel is known as a ‘thrombus’. Most of the large strokes are the result of embolus that gets caught in an artery that is already damaged due to various factors such as hypertension, smoking and depression among others.

What are its symptoms?

During a large stroke, a person may experience following signs and symptoms:

• Severe headaches
• Numbness and weakness on one side of the body
• Trouble while speaking
• Loss of understanding
• Vision issues
• Loss of balance and dizziness

Upon the detection of any of the above-listed brain stroke symptoms, one must take immediate brain stoke treatment. With the advent of excellence in medical science, one can get a specialized brain stroke treatment from the best neurology hospital in India. Max Healthcare, for instance, offers best treatment and care in such critical situation.

What happens during diagnosis?

After the stroke, the doctors try to analyze whether the experienced symptoms were that of a large stroke. For this, they ask the patient or their family members about the medical history of the patient. Some of the tests that are prescribed during the diagnosis process of a stroke are:

• Blood test
• Computed tomography (CT scan)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan)
• Angiogram
• Carotid duplex
• Transcranial Doppler (TCD)
• Echocardiogram

Once the doctors determine the stroke, they will go for a suitable brain stroke treatment. For detailed information about the brain stroke treatments, one can consult a trusted doctor and learn more about large stroke.

Recovery from stroke is generally slow and requires patience and commitment. Some of the symptoms like communication issues and muscle stiffness might continue to alter the life of the patient. The best thing is to ensure that the patients receive love and support and motivate them to stay strong.

How to Prevent It?

Though mentioned in the end, this is one of the most important questions people ask about a stroke. Through various lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce the risk of stroke. Some of them are as follows:

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Perform regular exercise
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure
• Limit the alcohol consumption

A brain stroke can have a long-lasting impact on a person’s life; hence, it is always better to be safe rather than being sorry. Following these lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of stroke and help people lead a better life.