Coloured angiogram of the brain of a 48 year old patient after a stroke
There are fewer blood vessels visible compared to normal. This is due to a blocked middle cerebral artery causing areas of ischaemia to parts of the brain. Strokes can be instantly fatal, or may pass unnoticed. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, behavioural changes or paralysis. The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body) Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache with no known cause So what to do if maybe your parents or relatives or friends look weird and absent? Act quickly. Why is there a need to act? Ischemic strokes, the most common type of strokes, can be treated with a drug called t-PA, that dissolves blood clots obstructing blood flow to the brain. The window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three hours, but to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes. 📷•Medicogram•
