Steven C. Cramer, M.D.
Co-director, UC Irvine Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center
Neurologist
Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, also known as a brain
attack. Stroke is the nation's third leading cause of death, ranking only behind
heart disease and cancer.
The sooner treatment begins after the onset of stroke symptoms, the better a
patient’s chances for survival. New clot-busting drugs can help reduce
disability after a brain attack, but they must be administered within three hours
of the time symptoms begin. Unfortunately, only 2 to 3 percent of American stroke
patients reach the hospital in time to be considered candidates for this treatment.
Warning Signs
Anyone experiencing stroke symptoms must be evaluated as soon as possible. Call 9-1-1
immediately if you or someone you know experiences the warning signs of a stroke.
They include sudden:
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
Risk factors
The most important treatable conditions linked to increased risk of stroke include:
- High blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors for stroke. A balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and prescription medications can help normalize blood pressure.
- Cigarette smoking. Counseling and medications are proven to help smokers quit.
- Heart disease. Many forms of heart disease can increase the risk of stroke.
These include rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease,
and heart infections. Your doctor can treat these conditions and may prescribe
medication to help prevent clot formation.
- Diabetes. Treatment can prevent or delay the complications of diabetes, which include
stroke.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a small warning stroke with symptoms
that lasts less than 24 hours, and usually less than 30 minutes. A TIA should never be
ignored. It is a warning and needs prompt evaluation, which can sometimes lead to
drug therapy or surgery.
- High cholesterol. Evidence suggests that lowering cholesterol helps reduce the risk
of stroke. Have your cholesterol tested and adhere to appropriate management goals
based on your total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level and related risk factors.
Preventive treatment
For those who are at high risk for stroke, the UCI Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center
offers a broad range of preventive treatments. These include:
- Medication. Anti-platelet agents such as aspirin and anti-coagulants such as
coumadin interfere with the blood's ability to form new blood clots. These drugs
can play an important role in preventing an ischemic stroke.
- Carotid endarterectomy. This procedure involves surgically removing a blockage
from within one or both of the carotid arteries to improve blood flow to the brain
and decrease the risk of stroke.
- Angioplasty/stents. Doctors can repair narrowed arteries with a procedure known
as balloon angioplasty, which is sometimes accompanied by implantation of a mesh tube
called a stent.
Learn more about Dr. Cramer »
