Stroke

Stroke: Screening, Prevention and Treatment

A stroke (also known as a cerebrovascular accident) occurs when the brain is damaged as the result of an interruption of blood supply.

Your brain, like every other organ in your body, relies on blood to bring oxygen and nutrients to keep it operating. If the blood supply is cut off for any reason, the brain sustains injuries that may be permanent, and life-threatening. Over 200,000 cases of stroke occur in the United States each year.

Diagnosable Stroke Risk Factors

These warning signs can be detected through testing, and treated at Greenwich Cardiology:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol / Carotid Artery Disease
• Family history
• Recent strokes
• Transient ischemic attacks (“mini-strokes”)
• Atrial fibrilllaion / Arrhythmia

Recommended Screenings

These warning signs can be detected through testing, and treated at Greenwich Cardiology:

• Blood tests for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol
• Carotid Ultrasound for carotid blockage
• ECG, Echocardiogram and Holter Monitoring for blood clots and arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation

Additional Stroke Risk Factors to Consider:

• Age
• Cigarette smoking
• Physical exercise habits