Strokes can vary hugely in terms of severity and effect. Much depends on where in the brain a stroke occurs and how rapidly the patient receives medical attention. That’s why you should remain alert to the typical symptoms suffered by those experiencing a stroke and call an ambulance immediately if you spot any of them. You can read more about this in our article,
Stroke – How to Spot the Signs.
If it’s suspected you have experienced a stroke then accurate diagnosis is essential for a number of reasons:
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Confirming your symptoms were indeed caused by a stroke.
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Identifying the type of stroke, its location in the brain and its severity.
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Identifying the causes so the most appropriate treatment can be administered. Different types of stroke require different treatment, so rapid diagnosis is crucial.
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Monitoring your ongoing condition to ensure there are no additional complications.
There is a range of tests and procedures for stroke diagnosis. Doctors are unlikely to need all of them and will use those which are most appropriate for your symptoms and condition.
Stroke Diagnosis Tests
Neurological Examination If you are conscious, this is probably the first stage of diagnosis. A doctor will assess various functions to establish whether a stroke is likely, including:
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Speech and memory
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Sensation and movement in the limbs and face
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Awareness
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Walking and balance
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Vision and eye movements
Brain Scan This is the main diagnostic tool for strokes. Even if the symptoms are very obviously those of a stroke a scan is usually necessary to establish its location and severity. It will also reveal whether the cause was a blocked artery or burst blood vessel. There are two types of scan:
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CT Scan. The computer tomography scan is like an X-ray, but multiple images are put together to create a 3D picture of your brain. This is the quickest scan so is best for obvious and severe cases of stroke, identifying if the cause was a clot, thereby enabling clot-busting drugs to be administered rapidly, which greatly aids recovery.
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MRI Scan. The magnetic image resonance scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create a detailed picture of the body’s interior. This provides much greater detail than a CT scan and is therefore appropriate where symptoms are more complex.
In both types of scan a dye is injected into the arm and your head or body is placed within the scanner for the images to be produced.
Heart and Blood Vessel Tests
These tests are likely to take place later and are intended to confirm the cause of the stroke. They can include:
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Ultrasound. This is the same technology used to produce images of a baby in the womb. In this case it is used on the neck to reveal the condition of the carotid artery, which provides blood to the brain. It is sometimes called a Doppler or Duplex scan. A wand-like probe is passed over your neck and sends out high-frequency waves which create the image.
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Echocardiogram. Here an ultrasound probe produces images of your heart, revealing any problems there. This could be from a probe passed over the body or sometimes a clearer image is produced by a probe passed down the food pipe (oesophagus) – usually under sedation.
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Electrocardiogram. An ECG measures the rhythm and activity of your heart through small electrodes placed on the body.
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Catheter Angiography. In this procedure dye is injected into either the carotid or vertebral arteries to give a clear picture of their condition and whether they are blocked. The image may be produced through ultrasound or CT/MRI scans.
Swallow Tests
Over a third of people who suffer a stroke experience difficulty swallowing. This can be serious, causing food or drink to pass down the windpipe, so stroke patients will be asked to swallow a sip of water. If you can do so without choking and coughing you will then drink half a glass of water to be sure there are no problems.
If there is any difficulty swallowing you are likely to be a ‘nil by mouth’ patient until you have seen a therapist who can help.
Blood Tests
These will reveal any conditions which may have led to the stroke, such as diabetes, blood clotting disorders or high cholesterol.
Moving Forward
Many hospitals have specialist stroke units which can respond swiftly and with the best treatment to minimise damage to the brain and prevent further complications. There is no question that a stroke is a very serious condition, but for most survivors of strokes the prospects for recovery are good. Therapies and medications can help individuals to regain many of the impaired functions and reduce the risk of further strokes occurring.
Specialist Care When You Need It
Nobilis provides professional
in-home care for stroke patients. Whether in the short term after leaving hospital to help someone regain independence or on a more permanent basis for individuals with more serious symptoms, we provide exactly the level of support you need.
Our staff are highly trained and have extensive experience of post-stroke care. This enables people to live freely in their own homes and provides reassurance for their families that their loved ones are secure in the care of professionals dedicated to improving their quality of life.
If you have any questions about stroke care our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help.
Telephone – 0845 680 0225