Brain Stroke
- Home
- Brain Stroke
Learn what to expect when visiting the Emergency Department. Learn More
Menu
- Home
- About
- Departments
- All Departments
- Anaesthesia & Pain Management
- Cardiology
- Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery (CTVS)
- Critical Care
- Dental Surgery
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- ENT
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- General & Laparoscopic Surgery
- General Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery & Spine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatric Surgery
- Paediatrics & Neonatology
- Pathology & Laboratory
- Psychiatry
- Pulmonology
- Radiology & Imaging
- Rehabilitation & Physiotherapy
- Reproductive Medicine (IVF & Fertility)
- Patient Guide
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics & Tests
- Angiography
- Biopsy Test
- Blood Tests
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- CT Scan
- ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- ECHO (Echocardiogram)
- Endoscopy
- Interventional Radiology
- Kidney Function Test (KFT)
- Liver Function Test (LFT)
- Mammography
- MRI Scan
- Pulmonary Function Test
- Sleep Study
- Test Preparation Guides
- Thyroid Profile
- Ultrasound / Sonography
- X-Ray
- Health Checkup
- Find a Doctor
- Academics
- September 5, 2026
- 5 MINS READ
Patient Procedures
Understanding Brain Stroke
A brain stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is suddenly interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of vital oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Rapid medical intervention is critical to minimize brain damage and prevent severe disability or death.
Signs & Symptoms
Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. Remember the F.A.S.T. test to identify a stroke:
- F – Face Drooping: One side of the face droops or is numb. The smile is uneven.
- A – Arm Weakness: One arm becomes weak or numb. It may drift downward when raised.
- S – Speech Difficulty: Speech becomes slurred, or the person is unable to speak or understand others.
- T – Time to Call: If you observe any of these signs, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Causes & Risk Factors
There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic Stroke (Most Common): caused by the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: caused by bleeding in the brain, when a blood vessel leaks or bursts.
Risk Factors Include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Smoking or heavy alcohol use
- Diabetes and high cholesterol
- Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle
Diagnosis & Tests
Time is brain. Upon arrival, our stroke team will perform immediate tests and, after admission, further tests in the ward to determine the type of stroke and guide treatment:
Done immediately in the Emergency Room:
- CT Scan or MRI: To visualize the brain and identify whether the stroke is caused by a clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic).
Done in the ward (after admission):
- Carotid Ultrasound: To check for narrowed arteries in the neck.
- Echocardiogram: To find if a clot originated in the heart and traveled to the brain.
- Blood Tests: To check how fast your blood clots and measure blood sugar levels.
Treatment & Management
Treatment must be administered rapidly and depends on the stroke type:
- For Ischemic Stroke: Emergency IV medication (a clot-buster) must be given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. In some cases, doctors perform an endovascular procedure to physically remove the clot using a catheter.
- For Hemorrhagic Stroke: Treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. This may require emergency surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel or relieve fluid buildup.
- Rehabilitation: Post-stroke recovery requires rigorous physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help patients relearn lost skills and regain independence.
Why Choose St. Stephen's Hospital for Brain Stroke?
When a stroke strikes, every second counts. St. Stephen’s Hospital is equipped with a 24/7 Stroke-Ready Emergency Department, staffed around the clock by expert neurologists, neurosurgeons, and critical care specialists.
With our state-of-the-art neuroimaging technology and dedicated Neuro-ICU, we ensure lightning-fast diagnosis and intervention. Following treatment, our world-class neuro-rehabilitation team is here to support your journey to recovery. If you or a loved one shows signs of a stroke, do not wait—rush to our emergency center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), often called a mini-stroke, is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. The symptoms are identical to a stroke but usually last only a few minutes to an hour and leave no permanent damage. However, a TIA is a massive warning sign that a full stroke may happen soon.
Yes, many patients can achieve a full or near-full recovery, especially if they receive medical treatment very quickly after symptoms start. However, recovery depends on the severity of the brain damage and the intensity of post-stroke rehabilitation.
Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. The best ways to prevent a stroke are to strictly manage high blood pressure, quit smoking, maintain a healthy diet and weight, exercise regularly, and manage conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.
The critical treatment window refers to the first 4.5 hours after stroke symptoms begin. Getting a patient to the hospital, diagnosed, and treated within this narrow time frame drastically increases their chances of surviving and avoiding permanent brain damage
An ischemic stroke (caused by a clot) is usually painless, which is why people sometimes ignore the symptoms. However, a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a burst vessel) often causes a sudden, incredibly severe headache, often described as "the worst headache of my life."
While lifestyle choices are the biggest risk factors, genetics do play a role. If you have a close family member who suffered a stroke, your risk is elevated, often because families share genetic risks for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Chronic stress does not directly cause a stroke, but it significantly contributes to stroke risk factors. High stress can lead to chronically elevated blood pressure, poor diet, smoking, and physical inactivity, all of which increase your risk of suffering a stroke.