Acidente Vascular Cerebral (CVA) represents one of the most serious and urgent health conditions, being one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Agility in recognizing its signs and seeking immediate medical care are determining factors in increasing the chances of survival and minimizing sequelae. The maxim “Time is brain” highlights the reality that every minute without treatment, millions of neurons die, making quick help an absolute priority.
Data from the Transparência portal of Registro Civil, maintained by Associação Nacional of Registradores of Pessoas Naturais, reveal the scale of the problem in the country. Somente between January and October 2022, the condition was responsible for 87,518 deaths, a number that raises an alert for the need for popular awareness about the symptoms and prevention measures.
The condition can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the area of the brain affected and the type of event that occurred. Compreender the two main classifications of stroke is fundamental to understanding the nature of the emergency and the treatment approaches that can be applied by healthcare professionals.
The two types of stroke
The most common classification of stroke is ischemic, which accounts for approximately 80% of all registered cases. Ele occurs when there is a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, usually caused by a blood clot, known as a thrombus.
This blockage interrupts the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells in the affected region. Sem this vital supply, brain tissue begins to die within minutes, which triggers the neurological symptoms characteristic of the condition.
The second type is hemorrhagic stroke, responsible for the remaining 20% of cases. Ele happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding (hemorrhage) within the brain tissue or the space around it.
This hemorrhage not only disrupts normal circulation, but also increases pressure inside the skull, compressing and damaging brain tissue. Direct contact between blood and neurons is toxic and can lead to extensive damage, often more severe than the ischemic type.
Warning signs that require immediate attention
Identifying the symptoms of a stroke is the first and most crucial step towards a favorable outcome. Embora may vary, the most common signs usually appear suddenly and affect one side of the body. It is essential to be aware of any sudden manifestation of weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially if it occurs unilaterally. Dificuldades unexpected things in speech, such as slurred words, difficulty articulating sentences or inability to understand what others are saying, are important warnings. Sudden mental confusion, vision problems in one or both eyes, such as blurred or double vision, and sudden loss of balance or coordination, which can cause difficulty walking, are also common symptoms. One of the most alarming signs, especially in hemorrhagic stroke, is an extremely strong and sudden headache, often described as the worst in your life, with no apparent cause.
Conditions that can be confused with a stroke
Several other medical conditions can present symptoms similar to those of a stroke, which can create confusion at the time of emergency. Migraine with aura, for example, can cause visual disturbances, numbness and difficulty speaking, but its symptoms usually develop gradually, unlike the abrupt onset of a stroke.
Epileptic seizures can also be confused with a stroke, as they can involve loss of consciousness, confusion, and weakness on one side of the body after the event. However, the presence of involuntary and repetitive movements during the crisis is an important distinguishing factor.
Another condition is hypoglycemia, that is, dangerously low blood sugar levels. A lack of glucose for the brain can lead to symptoms such as weakness, confusion, dizziness and difficulty speaking. A simple blood glucose measurement can quickly differentiate the two conditions.
How the diagnosis is made in hospitals
Upon arriving at an emergency department with a suspected stroke, the patient undergoes a quick and thorough assessment. The process begins with a clinical analysis, in which the doctor investigates the history of symptoms, the exact moment they started and the patient’s risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes or family history. Testes simple neurological tests are performed to assess muscle strength, speech, vision and coordination.
After the initial assessment, imaging tests are essential to confirm the diagnosis and, crucially, differentiate between the ischemic and hemorrhagic types. Computed tomography (CT) of the skull is generally the first examination performed due to its speed and ability to detect bleeding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more detailed images of brain tissue and is highly effective in identifying areas of ischemia early.
Treatment approaches for each type of stroke
Treatment for ischemic stroke is focused on restoring blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible. In eligible cases, thrombolytic therapy, which uses medications to dissolve the clot, may be administered. Este treatment needs to be started within a restricted window of time, generally within four and a half hours after the onset of symptoms.
For hemorrhagic stroke, the goal is to control the bleeding, reduce pressure in the brain, and stabilize the patient. Isso may involve close control of blood pressure and, in many cases, surgical procedures to remove accumulated blood or repair the ruptured blood vessel.
Risk factors and the importance of prevention
Prevention is the most effective strategy against stroke and involves strict control of risk factors. Manter keeping blood pressure and diabetes levels under control, managing cholesterol, adopting a balanced diet, practicing physical activity regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and, fundamentally, not smoking are measures that drastically reduce the likelihood of a cerebrovascular event.
The urgency of specialized medical care
It is vital to reinforce that, at the slightest suspicion of a stroke, the only correct action is to immediately seek a hospital or call an emergency service, such as SAMU (192). Tentar Waiting to see if symptoms improve can result in irreversible brain damage.
Differentiating between a stroke and other conditions with similar symptoms can only be made by a medical team with the help of specific tests. The population’s quick action in recognizing the signs and seeking help is what allows modern treatments to be applied in time, saving lives and preserving patients’ quality of life.
