A massive stroke is when a disruption in blood flow to part of your brain causes significant damage.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of your brain is interrupted. This disruption deprives your brain tissue of oxygen, causing serious consequences. Your ability to recover from a stroke depends on the severity of the stroke and how quickly you get medical attention.
A massive stroke can be fatal, as it affects large portions of the brain. But for many people who experience a stroke, recovery is long but possible.
The severity of symptoms depends on the location and size of the stroke. The symptoms of a stroke can
- a sudden, severe headache
- vomiting
- neck stiffness
- vision loss or blurred vision
- dizziness
- a loss of balance
- numbness or weakness on one side of the body or the face
- sudden confusion
- difficulty talking
- difficulty swallowing
In severe cases, rigidity and coma can occur.
Strokes occur when blood flow to part of your brain is interrupted. They can be ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Ischemic stroke
Most strokes are ischemic. An ischemic stroke results from a clot that blocks blood flow to a particular region of the brain.
The clot may be a thrombosis, meaning it forms at the site of the blockage in the brain.
Alternatively, the clot may be a cerebral embolism. This means it forms elsewhere in the body and moves into the brain, leading to an embolic stroke.
Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood to accumulate in the surrounding brain tissue. This causes pressure on the brain. It also causes ischemia, leaving a region of your brain deprived of blood and oxygen.
Hemorrhagic strokes typically have a
What is the difference between a stroke and a massive stroke?
Any type of stroke can be massive, but some types may be more likely to cause more damage, including:
- hemorrhagic strokes that cause excessive bleeding
- large vessel strokes, such as middle cerebral artery strokes
- brain stem strokes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), new strokes affect over
- Age: Though strokes can occur at any age, older adults are at the greatest risk.
- Sex: Females have a
higher lifetime risk of stroke and are more likely to die from stroke. - Lifestyle factors: People who smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs are at a higher stroke risk. Low nutrient eating patterns and physical inactivity can also increase your risk.
- Medications: Hormonal birth control may increase your risk of ischemic stroke. While blood thinners may decrease your risk of ischemic stroke if you have certain cardiovascular conditions, they may increase your risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Family history of stroke: Researchers conducting a 2022 review of literature concluded that as many as
52% of people with ischemic stroke involved in the research may have a family history. This was compared to only 37% of those who had not had a stroke. A family history could also mean more severe strokes at a younger age, especially if you have a genetic condition that increases stroke risk.
According to the
Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of stroke, including:
- a history of stroke or ministroke
- high blood pressure, especially if it’s not well managed
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- heart and vascular problems
- obesity
- metabolic syndrome
- migraine
- pregnancy
- sickle cell disease
- conditions that cause a hypercoagulable state (excessive tendency to form blood clots)
- conditions that cause excessive bleeding, such as low platelets and hemophilia
- treatment with anticoagulants or blood thinners
- a history of aneurysms or vascular irregularities in the brain
- polycystic kidney disease
- brain tumors
If a doctor suspects you’re having a stroke, they’ll perform several tests to help them make a diagnosis.
First, a doctor will conduct a physical exam and look for signs of a stroke. They’ll test your mental alertness, coordination, and balance.
If you’ve had a stroke, your doctor may also order imaging or blood tests to confirm the type of stroke you’ve had and to make sure your treatment plan aligns with your specific medical needs.
If you’re having a stroke, you need emergency care as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of survival and recovery.
Ischemic stroke
Treatment for massive ischemic strokes may involve
- clot-busting drugs within 4.5 hours to break up the blood clot
- mechanical thrombectomy to surgically remove the blood clot within 24 hours
- aspirin or other blood thinners to prevent further clotting
- surgery to relieve pressure buildup in the brain (craniectomy)
Hemorrhagic stroke
If you’re having a hemorrhagic stroke, emergency caregivers may give you medications to lower your blood pressure and slow the bleeding. If you’ve been using blood thinners, they may give you drugs to counteract them.
For a massive hemorrhagic stroke, you might benefit from emergency surgery, depending on the severity of the bleeding. Doctors do this to repair the broken blood vessel and remove excess blood that may be putting pressure on the brain.
Complications and resulting impairments become more serious depending on the severity of the stroke. Complications can include the following:
- paralysis
- difficulty swallowing or talking
- balance problems
- dizziness
- memory loss
- difficulty managing emotions
- depression
- pain
- changes in behavior
Rehabilitation services can help minimize complications and may include working with:
- a physical therapist to help you build your strength and coordination
- an occupational therapist to learn how to perform daily tasks, such as activities involving personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning
- a speech therapist to work with you on speech exercises
- a psychologist to help you cope with feelings of anxiety or depression
Some people who have a stroke recover quickly and can regain regular function of their body after just a few days. For other people, recovery may take several months or longer.
No matter how long it takes you to recover from your stroke, remember recovery is a process. Trying to remain optimistic can help you cope. Celebrate all the progress you make. You may also want to consider talking with a therapist who can help you work through your recovery.
Support for caregivers
During the recovery process after a stroke, a person may need ongoing rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the stroke, this may last for a few weeks, months, or even years.
It can be helpful for caregivers to educate themselves about strokes and the rehabilitation process. Caregivers may also benefit from joining support groups where they can meet others who are helping their own loved ones recover after a stroke.
Some good resources to find help include:
Your outlook after a stroke depends on its severity and how quickly you get medical care for it. Because massive strokes tend to affect large amounts of brain tissue, the overall outlook is typically less favorable.
Overall, the outlook is
If you have had a stroke, you could be at risk of having another stroke due to underlying risk factors. Subsequent strokes are
What is the survival rate for a massive stroke?
Many factors can influence the survival rate for strokes, including the size of the stroke, where it starts, and how soon doctors begin treatment.
In a
Is a massive stroke painful?
Pain isn’t a typical symptom of stroke. However, some people may experience pain as part of a sudden, intense headache. There are also
What are the signs of impending death after a stroke?
When nearing the end of life after a stroke, symptoms
A massive stroke occurs when there’s a disruption in blood flow to a large portion of your brain. This can cause significant brain damage, leading to severe complications or even death.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for increasing your chances of a favorable outcome. Even with immediate treatment, recovery after a massive stroke may take months or years.