Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
The outlook depends on the type of stroke, how much brain tissue is damaged, what body functions have been affected, and how quickly treatment is received. Recovery may occur completely, or there may be some permanent loss of function.
Over half of the people who have a stroke are able to function independently at home.
If treatment with clot-busting drugs is successful, the symptoms of a stroke may completely go away. However, patients do not often arrive at the hospital soon enough to receive these drugs, or there are complicating medical conditions that prevent their use.
People who have an ischemic stroke (stroke due to a blood clot) have a better chance of surviving than those who have a hemorrhagic stroke (stroke due bleeding in the brain).
The risk for a second stroke is highest over the first few weeks or months after the first stroke and then begins to lessen.
Complications
- Breathing food into the airway (
aspiration ) - Decreased life span
- Difficulty communicating
- Fractures
- Malnutrition
Muscle spasticity - Permanent loss of brain functions
- Permanent loss of movement or sensation in one or more parts of the body
- Problems due to loss of mobility, including joint
contractures and pressure sores - Reduced ability to function or care for self
- Reduced social interactions
- Side effects of medications
Calling your health care provider
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if someone has symptoms of a stroke.
Images
Review Date: 06/15/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard
Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General
Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
