Both Chen and Morgan emphasized the importance of staying well-hydrated on hot nights and during hot days.
“That means drink plenty of water before you go to sleep,” said Chen.
He also recommended having as much circulation in one’s bedroom as possible and keeping windows open so that the moving air, even if it is warm, can help sweat evaporate. “Evaporation does help the body cool down,” Chen explained.
Morgan suggested that “cool baths and showers, and cool cloths on the neck, forehead, and torso” can help lower body temperature.
Morgan raised concerns about how climate change can be destructive to one’s cardiovascular health:
“There is concern for pollution and a rise in particulate matter, which can enter both the lungs and bloodstream, negatively impacting healthy heart tissue,” she said.
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What are the different types of stroke?
The two main types of stroke are ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke involves a blockage in a blood vessel, while a hemorrhagic stroke results from bleeding in or around the brain.
A stroke occurs when there is a sudden disruption to the blood and oxygen supply to a part of the brain.
Most
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strokes are ischemic strokes. They occur when a blockage prevents adequate blood flow to the brain cells.
Around 10–20%
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of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes. About half
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of all hemorrhagic strokes are subarachnoid hemorrhages, when bleeding occurs around the brain. The other half are intracerebral brain hemorrhages, when bleeding occurs inside the brain.
A person may also experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ministroke. These usually last only a few minutes
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, but can be a warning sign of a major stroke to follow.
This article looks at the different types of stroke. It will also explore what causes each type of stroke, the potential symptoms of each, and some treatment options.
What is FAST, and what are the symptoms of a stroke?
A person may have a stroke when there is a sudden disruption to the blood and oxygen supply to the brain.
An ischemic stroke is the most common
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type of stroke. It occurs when a clot in a blood vessel interferes with adequate blood flow to the brain. This can happen when a person has atherosclerosis, for example.
A blood clot that travels from the heart or the carotid arteries to a blood vessel in the brain may also cause an ischemic stroke.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ischemic stroke include:
sudden numbness in any area of the body
weakness on one side of the body
drooping on one side of the face due to hemifacial paralysis
vision changes in one field of vision, for example, the left side of both eyes
dizziness or a loss of coordination
balance problems and difficulty walking
confusion
a sudden, very intense “thunderclap” headache with no known cause
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Risk factors
Anyone can have an ischemic stroke, but certain groups have a higher risk. Some risk factors include:
being female, as females live longer and are therefore more likely to live long enough to have a stroke
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
untreated diabetes
having atherosclerosis, when fatty plaques build up in the walls of arteries
smoking
a high alcohol intake
limited exercise
being over the age of 65
having atrial fibrillation (A-fib), a heart condition that causes a rapid or irregular heart rate
having vasculitis, a type of blood vessel inflammation
Treatment
There is currently no cure for ischemic stroke. Instead, urgent treatment focuses on removing the clot and preventing further brain damage.
The first line of treatment
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ideally includes a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) or alteplase. Administering this treatment through a vein in the arm can help quickly dissolve the blood clot and improve blood flow to the affected area of the brain.
In some situations, it may be necessary to surgically dissolve or remove the clot using a procedure called a thrombectomy. Thrombectomy works best within 6 hours
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of stroke symptoms appearing, but it may improve outcomes up to 24 hours after a stroke.
During the first few days after an ischemic stroke, doctors will provide care that aims to reduce the likelihood of permanent damage, such as:
fluid management
blood pressure management
glucose management
anti-inflammatory medication, in some cases
A person will receive this care whether or not they have TPA or a clot removal.
A doctor may also give blood thinners, such as heparin, if the time window for TPA or surgical intervention has passed or if it is not suitable for the individual.
What are the first-line medications for a stroke?
Recovery
To help a person regain functioning and cope with the stress of having a stroke, they may need a variety of supportive treatments. These may include:
speech therapy
occupational therapy
physical therapy
psychological therapy
A doctor may also recommend making certain lifestyle changes, such as reducing the fat in their diet or exercising more often, to reduce the risk of experiencing another stroke.
Learn more about ischemic strokes here.
Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel either ruptures or leaks, causing bleeding into the brain. The blood that accumulates from the bleed compresses the surrounding brain tissue.
Like other strokes, a hemorrhagic stroke can cause rapid tissue death.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke are similar to those of an ischemic stroke and include:
numbness
loss of function, especially on one side of the body
drooping on one side of the face
trouble speaking
loss of consciousness
confusion
severe headache
seizure
Risk factors
Two possible causes of hemorrhagic stroke are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
An aneurysm is an enlarged, ballooning blood vessel. This change in a blood vessel’s size and shape increases the risk of it rupturing and bleeding.
Many people with aneurysms do not have symptoms, and most aneurysms will appear after the age of 40.
An aneurysm can be congenital or hereditary, or it may result from risk factors such as:
high blood pressure
smoking
a high alcohol intake
using drugs, such as cocaine
being female
head trauma or traumatic brain injury
An AVM, on the other hand, is a misshapen blood vessel. An AVM is usually present from birth.
The misshapen blood vessel may rupture or bleed, causing a hemorrhagic stroke.
Treatment
Sometimes, a health professional can surgically remove the blood and repair the blood vessel. However, it is often necessary to manage hemorrhagic strokes with fluid control and monitor for effects such as seizures.
To reduce the risk of brain damage, a doctor may also give medication to control blood pressure.
Learn more about hemorrhagic strokes here.
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Transient ischemic attack
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a ministroke, is similar to an ischemic stroke because it temporarily blocks blood flow to the brain. Treatment aims to prevent a recurrence, as a person who experiences a TIA has a higher risk
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of a major stroke in the future.
Symptoms
TIAs may cause symptoms similar to those of an ischemic stroke, including:
confusion
trouble walking
drooping on one side of the face
tingling or numbness
However, the symptoms tend to be less severe and last just a few minutes. Unlike an ischemic stroke, a TIA resolves on its own, when the clot either moves or dissolves.
Risk factors
The risk factors for a TIA are the same as those for an ischemic stroke and include:
being older
smoking
getting little exercise
having cardiovascular disease
having A-fib
TIAs occur before about 15% of strokes
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. This means that many people who experience a TIA will experience an ischemic stroke in the future.
Prevention
A person who has a TIA should talk with a doctor about lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatment options that can reduce the risk of experiencing an ischemic stroke.
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