Brain Health & Conditions
Surviving a Stroke
A neurologist talks about treating and recognizing strokes
Conditions, Test and Treatments
Conditions Treated
- Atrial fibrillation-related stroke: A stroke related to the cardiac disorder atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to beat irregularly and can lead to blood clots.
- Cryptogenic stroke: A stroke with an unknown cause.
- Embolic stroke of undetermined source: A type of stroke that’s caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel, but without a clear indicator of what led to the clot.
- PFO-related stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): A type of stroke related to patent foramen ovale, a condition where there is a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart. This increases the risk of TIA, sometimes called “mini-strokes.”
- Stroke due to other structural cardiac conditions: A stroke that’s caused by other types of heart abnormalities, such as problems with the valves or chambers of the heart.
Tests
- Cardiac rhythm monitoring: Devices that are worn on the chest or implanted under the skin record your cardiac rhythm for a specific period of time. External monitors, also called Holter monitors, record for 24 to 48 hours, while implantable loop recorders can record for up to three years.
- Coronary angiography: X-ray imaging that captures pictures of the heart’s blood vessels.
- Echocardiography: An ultrasound that shows an outline of the heart moving. For a transthoracic echocardiogram, the image is taken at the surface of the chest. For a transesophageal echocardiogram, the image is taken with a probe that’s placed down your throat while you’re under sedation.
Treatments
- Antithrombotic agents: Medications that prevent blood clots from forming. These can be anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, or antiplatelet drugs that keep platelets from clumping together.
- LARIAT® device: A device that closes the heart’s left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of blood clots. It’s placed through a minimally invasive procedure using a thin, flexible catheter threaded through your blood vessels.
- Left atrial appendage closure: A permanent implant, placed with a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure, blocks off the heart’s left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Medical therapies: Medications that can be used to lower the risk of stroke include antithrombotic agents, which limit the chances of developing blood clots, and statins, which help to reduce levels of cholesterol that can block blood vessels.
- PFO closure: A PFO is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart (right and left atrium) that can allow blood clots to travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Closing a PFO involves a minimally invasive procedure that seals the opening.
- Risk factor modifications: Managing your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and other factors can cut risk of stroke significantly. Your providers can work with you to make lifestyle changes that decrease your risk.
