Stroke
HeartCare Associates of Connecticut
Cardiovascular Specialists located in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven & Wallingford, CT
A stroke is a life-changing event that can cause severe physical and mental consequences, and could very well prove fatal. Preventing stroke by taking care of yourself and your circulatory system is the best way to avoid stroke, and the team of cardiovascular specialists at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut has the skills and expertise to help you stay healthy. To schedule a consultation, call HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, with locations in Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut, or use the online booking tool.
Stroke Q & A
What is a stroke?
A stroke happens because the blood flow to your brain becomes interrupted. This can occur if there’s bleeding on the brain or a blood clot blocking an artery. It’s often due to a narrowing of the blood vessels.
The effects of a stroke happen quickly. If blood can’t get to your brain, then within a few minutes, nerve cells in your brain start dying. Stroke can cause severe disability, both mental and physical.
Many people die every year after having a stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Stroke causes a range of symptoms that can vary in intensity. Typical stroke symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Stumbling
- Clumsiness
If you’re with someone when they’re having a stroke, you might notice that one side of their face looks strange, as though it’s drooping.
They may not be able to smile properly, and they might have trouble raising an arm. When they talk, they might sound odd, or their words might come out wrong.
Stroke is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing symptoms of stroke or who’s with someone showing signs of having a stroke should call 911 without delay.
What causes a stroke?
In many cases, stroke is due to preventable causes such as lifestyle, diet, and poor health care. Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Family history of stroke
- Being male
- Drinking excessively
People who’ve had a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), or have already had a stroke, are at the highest risk.
The best way to prevent stroke is by living a healthy lifestyle so you can minimize your risk factors. HeartCare Associates of Connecticut provides stroke prevention as part of its commitment to patient wellness.
How is stroke prevented and treated?
Stroke is a medical emergency, so initial lifesaving and stabilizing care takes place at the hospital. Once the immediate danger is over, it’s important to look at why you had a stroke and how you can reduce the risk of having another.
If you’re at risk of having a stroke or want to prevent falling into that category, the team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut plays a vital role in helping prevent strokes. They also provide a range of effective treatments for people who have a stroke.
Your provider may recommend any of the following as part of your stroke prevention plan.
- Management of high blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Increasing exercise
- Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, or both
- Diabetes management
- Routine screenings to check for heart issues, like palpitations
- Carotid ultrasound to screen for cholesterol-related plaque buildup in arteries
Rehabilitation can make an immense difference in your quality of life after stroke. You might also require surgery in some cases.
If you’re worried about any aspect of stroke, call HeartCare Associates of Connecticut today or book an appointment online.