A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular event, cerebral infarction, or brain hemorrhage, is one of the most serious medical conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Brain hemorrhage
Although the term brain hemorrhage is commonly used to describe a stroke, it is not always employed accurately, since the word “hemorrhage” often refers to bleeding in the brain.
In the medical context, however, it is associated with the idea that blood flow to the brain is interrupted, resulting in a negative impact on brain function.
Medically, there are two main types of cerebrovascular events:
- Ischemic: specifically known as stroke, it is caused by an obstruction in an artery that carries blood to the brain. The obstruction may be due to a blood clot or the buildup of fatty plaque; this is the most common type of cerebrovascular event.
- Hemorrhagic: occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding. Although this type of cerebrovascular event occurs less frequently, it also tends to be more severe.
Symptoms of stroke and brain hemorrhage
It is important to know the symptoms of a stroke in order to act quickly and improve the patient’s prognosis.
Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding language, loss of vision or double vision, dizziness and loss of balance, as well as confusion, are frequent symptoms. However, it is not necessary for all of them to appear, nor for them to develop with the same intensity.
Although the symptoms of stroke and brain hemorrhage may initially appear similar, there are several key differences.
In the case of stroke, headache is not a common symptom, while in brain hemorrhage it is one of the most characteristic signs.
Vision loss or double vision is more common in stroke, as damage to the areas of the brain responsible for vision may be more direct, while in brain hemorrhage vision loss is less frequent.
Seizures are more common in brain hemorrhage than in stroke, because bleeding within the brain can irritate brain cells and increase the risk of seizures.
Cerebral embolism
Cerebral embolism is a specific type of stroke. It occurs when a blood clot or a bubble of air, fat, or other material travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a cerebral artery.
This obstruction blocks blood flow, preventing brain cells from receiving oxygen and nutrients.
The clot or embolic material may form in the heart or in other parts of the body and travel to the brain through the arteries. This condition may be associated with various underlying causes:
- Atrial fibrillation: rhythm disorders of the heart that increase the risk of clot formation in the heart.
- Infective endocarditis: infection of the heart valves that can generate clots.
- Atherosclerosis: narrowing of the arteries due to fatty plaque buildup.
- Deep vein thrombosis: formation of clots in the leg veins that can detach and travel to the lungs or the brain.
A stroke, whether due to obstruction or hemorrhage, is a medical emergency that can cause irreversible brain damage and, in some cases, result in death.
Prevention, through the control of risk factors and a healthy lifestyle, is essential to reduce the likelihood of developing a stroke.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
MedlinePlus, Elsevier, NIH
