Advancements in our understanding of stroke have led to more effective treatments and prevention strategies.

A stroke can be a devastating medical occurrence. It happens when blood flow to a portion of your brain is impaired due to a blood clot or broken blood vessel. Much like a heart attack, the lack of oxygen-rich blood can lead to tissue death.

When brain cells begin to die as a result of the reduced blood flow, symptoms occur in the parts of the body that those brain cells control. These symptoms can include sudden weakness, paralysis, and numbness of your face or limbs.

As a result, people who experience a stroke may have difficulty thinking, moving, and even breathing.

Though doctors now know the causes and implications of a stroke, the condition hasn’t always been well understood.

Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” first recognized stroke more than 2,400 years ago. He called the condition apoplexy, which is a Greek term that means “struck down by violence.” While the name described the sudden changes that can occur with a stroke, it didn’t necessarily convey what’s actually happening in your brain.

Centuries later, in the 1600s, a doctor named Jacob Wepfer discovered that something disrupted the blood supply in the brains of people who died from apoplexy. In some of these cases, there was massive bleeding into the brain. In others, the arteries were blocked.

In the decades that followed, medical science continued to make advances concerning the causes, symptoms, and treatment of apoplexy. One result of these advancements was the division of apoplexy into categories based on the cause of the condition. After this, apoplexy became known by such terms as stroke and cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

Today, doctors know that two primary types of stroke exist: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

An ischemic stroke, which is more common, occurs when a blood clot lodges in a blood vessel in the brain. This blocks blood flow to the corresponding area of the brain.

A hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, happens when a blood vessel in your brain breaks open, causing blood to leak and accumulate.

The severity of the stroke is often related to the location in the brain and the number of brain cells affected.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, the Stroke Awareness Foundation notes that about 7 million people living in the United States today have survived a stroke.

Thanks to advancements in treatment methods, millions of people who’ve experienced a stroke can now live with fewer complications.

Early stroke treatments were primarily preventive.

In the 1800s, surgeons began performing surgery on the carotid arteries, which supply much of the blood flow to the brain. Clots that develop in the carotid arteries can break off and lodge in the brain and are often responsible for causing a stroke.

Starting in 1953, surgeons realized that carotid artery surgeries could reduce cholesterol buildup and remove blockages that could then lead to a stroke. Today, the procedure is known as a carotid endarterectomy.

While carotid artery surgeries certainly helped to prevent stroke, there were few treatments available to treat an acute stroke and reduce its effects. Most treatments focused on helping people manage any difficulties after a stroke, such as speech impairments, eating problems, or lasting weakness on one side of the body.

The implementation of a more effective treatment didn’t come until 1996 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a medication that breaks up the blood clots that cause ischemic strokes.

Though tPA can be effective in treating ischemic strokes, doctors must administer it within 4.5 hours after symptoms begin. As a result, receiving prompt medical attention for a stroke is vital to reducing and reversing its effects.

If someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden confusion and weakness or numbness on one side of the body, take them to the hospital or call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.

Ischemic strokes

tPA is the preferred treatment method for ischemic strokes.

However, a recent advancement in treating these types of strokes is mechanical thrombectomy. If doctors can perform it within 24 hours of the start of symptoms, this procedure can physically remove a blood clot in someone having an ischemic stroke.

Mechanical thrombectomy continues to increase in popularity as more surgeons become trained in its use. The number performed in the United States rose from just over 10,000 in 2015 to almost 40,000 in 2019.

Hemorrhagic strokes

Hemorrhagic stroke treatments have also come a long way.

Doctors often recommend surgery to reduce long-term damage and relieve pressure on the brain. Surgical treatments for ruptured brain aneurysms include surgical clipping and endovascular coiling.

Other treatments may be required, depending on the location and severity of the bleeding.

While stroke continues to be a leading cause of disability, up to 80% of strokes are preventable, according to the American Stroke Association. Thanks to recent research and advancements in treatment, doctors can now recommend prevention strategies for those who are at risk for stroke.

Known risk factors for stroke include increasing age and having:

People with these risk factors should talk with a doctor about lowering their risk. Doctors often recommend the following preventive measures:

While you can’t always prevent a stroke, taking these steps can help minimize your risk as much as possible.

Preventive strategies are especially important for people who have already had a stroke.

About 1 in 8 people who have had a stroke will have another stroke within 5 years, according to 2020 research. The risk of a recurrent stroke is highest for people who’ve had a hemorrhagic or cardioembolic stroke.

A history of stroke also affects your outlook after a recurrent stroke. A 2020 study found that people with a previous stroke were 34% more likely to die from a stroke within a year.

Rehabilitation after a first stroke will include preventive measures to lower your future risk. Following your doctor’s treatment plan is essential to improving your outlook.

According to a 2019 review, your risk of stroke may be 36% to 44% higher if you have a parent or sibling who has had a stroke. This may be partly due to genetics.

However, similar environments and experiences may mean family members are more likely to have similar risk factors.

Experts suggest letting a doctor know about your family history. This can give healthcare professionals insight into what preventive measures might help you most effectively reduce your risk.

A stroke is a life threatening medical event that can cause lasting brain damage and long-term disabilities.

Immediately seeking treatment can increase the likelihood that you or a loved one receive one of the innovative treatments used to treat stroke and minimize complications.