Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

✨Translated by AI

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)

What Is Stroke?

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted—either by an obstruction (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). As a result, brain tissue is deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients, leading to rapid brain cell death. Stroke is a sudden medical emergency that requires urgent treatment to minimize brain damage and potential complications.

Symptoms of Stroke

Recognizing stroke symptoms quickly can save lives. Key warning signs include:

  • Difficulty speaking or understanding others—confusion, slurred speech, or inability to comprehend speech

  • Numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg)

  • Facial drooping—one side of the face may sag when attempting to smile

  • Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes—blurry vision, partial loss of vision, or double vision

  • A sudden, severe headache without known cause, potentially accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or altered awareness

  • Difficulty walking, loss of balance, or coordination issues

FAST: Act Fast

Use the FAST acronym to help recognize stroke:

  • Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

  • Arms – Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

  • Speech – Have them repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or abnormal?

  • Time – If any sign is present, call emergency medical assistance immediately—every moment matters. Even seconds of delay can significantly affect treatment outcomes and increase the risk of permanent disability

How Stroke Occurs

1. Ischemic Stroke

Caused by a blockage in a brain artery. This may be due to fatty buildup in the vessel (atherosclerosis) or a clot or other obstructing debris traveling from the heart or major vessels

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke

Caused by bleeding in the brain due to ruptured or leaky blood vessels. Causes include uncontrolled high blood pressure, excessive anticoagulant use, aneurysms, head trauma, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (protein deposition in vessel walls), or rarely, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Sometimes called a “mini‑stroke”—causes temporary stroke-like symptoms (usually under 5 minutes) without lasting brain damage, but is a warning sign. Immediate evaluation is essential.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Risk factors fall into three categories:

  • Lifestyle Factors: Overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and illicit drug use (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine)

  • Health Conditions: High blood pressure, smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart diseases (heart failure, congenital heart conditions, arrhythmias)

  • Family History: A family history of stroke significantly increases your own risk

Summary

  • Stroke is an urgent medical condition caused by either blockage or bleeding in the brain.

  • Quick recognition using FAST and immediate action can drastically improve outcomes.

  • Major types include ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, with TIA as a warning signal.

  • Understanding and managing risk factors—through lifestyle changes and medical care—is key to prevention.

Ref: Mayoclinic

Contact or make an appointment with our staff via LINE @MBRACE.

LINE @MBRACE

If you have any of these symptoms or conditions, our hospital offers screening packages to meet all your needs, provided by specialist doctors from our Brain and Neurology Center.

  • KETCHAI SUAVANSRI, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Doctor’s Story

    Profile

  • Nuttavut Kettong, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Internal Medicine

    Specialty: Neurology

    Profile

  • Ratchayut Thanapiyachaikul, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Internal Medicine

    Specialty: Neurology Medicine

    Profile

  • Arunee Boonsuk, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Internal Medicine

    Specialty: Neurology

    Profile

  • KONGPOJ VIROONPOJ, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • JUTAPORN JUNWONGKAEW, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • CHONVIPA SIRIYUTWATTANA, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • CHAICHANA SINTHUWONG, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • CHAIYOT SIANGPRASERTKIJ,MD.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Surgery Department

    Specialty: Neurosurgery

    Profile

  • THITIPORN SUPASITTHUMRONG

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Internal Medicine

    Specialty: Dementia

    Profile

  • NASATHAPOT NAMPHOL, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY, INTERVENTIONAL NEURORADIOLOGY

    Profile

  • DAMRONGVIT SUKAJINTANAKARN, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • PASIN HEMACHUDHA, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGY

    Profile

  • SUPPATA MAYTHARAKCHEEP, M.D

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: Parkinson’s disease, Movement disorders, Botulinum toxin injection in neurology

    Profile

  • ASSOC. PROF. ITTICHAI SAKARUNCHAI, M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre

    Specialty: NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY, INTERVENTIONAL NEURORADIOLOGY

    Profile

  • Chakraphong Lorsuwansiri,M.D.

    BNH Neuroscience Centre
    Internal Medicine

    Specialty: Neurology

    Profile