<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Stephen Engle is a United States-trained physician (M.D.) and Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine who is board-certified in internal medicine. He has experience as a medical director in administrative medicine with the largest private payer in the US, as well as experience in internal medicine at all levels (clinic, urgent care, emergency room, inpatient general and intensive care, clinical consultative medicine, and peer review.)&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:16776960}}">Stephen Engle is a United States-trained physician (M.D.) and Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine who is board-certified in internal medicine. He has experience as a medical director in administrative medicine with the largest private payer in the US, as well as experience in internal medicine at all levels (clinic, urgent care, emergency room, inpatient general and intensive care, clinical consultative medicine, and peer review.)

As a caregiver, it's important to recognize the signs of a stroke in your patient. Many strokes cause strength or movement impairments that affect one side of the body. It's important to seek medical help right away if you think your loved one is experiencing a stroke.

Tips for Dealing With Stroke | Ready Set Care

Tips for Dealing With Stroke

<h2>Top Takeaways</h2>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">There are a number of conditions that affect the heart</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cardiac Rehabilitation includes exercise and heart healthy education that can help your loved one if they are recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, heart surgery, or have other heart conditions.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">To switch your loved one to a more heart-healthy diet, help them reduce foods that are high in sodium, fat and sugar, and encourage them to eat foods rich in whole grains fruits &amp; vegetables&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If your loved one suffers from heart disease, it&rsquo;s important to monitor their key health factors such as heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, swelling, sleep and weight</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">&nbsp;Always be on the lookout for new chest discomfort, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or other trouble breathing</li>
</ol>
 
<h2>What is Heart Disease? </h2>
Heart Disease refers to a range of conditions affecting the heart, including:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Coronary Artery Disease - Refers to blockage of the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease causes angina (chest pain) and heart attacks.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Heart Failure &ndash; There are two types:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Systolic &ndash; Heart failure due to weakness in the heart's muscle strength when pumping blood.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Diastolic &ndash; Heart failure due to excessive stiffness of the heart muscle. The heart doesn't relax enough to fill with enough blood before it pumps blood to the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
In both types of heart failure, the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's tissues. This results in:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Poor oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Backup of fluid into the lungs and lower legs</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fatigue, shortness of breath, and damage to body tissues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) &ndash; Refers to when the heart muscle thickens and doesn't function properly. Hypertension, obstruction in blood flow due to heart valve problems, or genetic disorders can cause HCM.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Valvular Heart Disease - Refers to a disease of valves that control blood flow through the heart's four separate chambers. It can cause numerous problems, including heart failure, damage to the heart muscle, and circulatory collapse (loss of blood pressure and consciousness).</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Infections of the Heart &ndash; Infections can affect the heart muscle, heart valves, inner lining of the heart, or lining around the outside of the heart. </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is associated with most of the conditions noted above.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>Cardiac Rehabilitation&nbsp; </h2>
Cardiac Rehabilitation can help your loved one if they are recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, heart surgery, or have other heart conditions.&nbsp;Includes:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Exercise Counseling and Training: In Cardiac Rehab, your loved one will learn how to exercise and do other activities in healthy ways that promote heart health.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Education for Heart-Healthy Living: A key element of cardiac rehab is educating your loved one on how they can manage their risk factors, and live a healthy lifestyle. For example, they'll learn how to make heart-healthy nutrition choices and quit smoking.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Counseling to Reduce Stress: <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-rehab/taking-care-of-yourself/reducing-stress">Stress</a> hurts your heart. This part of cardiac rehab is to help your loved one identify and tackle everyday sources of stress.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>Help with Lifestyle Changes&nbsp;</h2>
Heart disease results from genetics and lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, none of us can change our genes. However, we can make lifestyle choices that decrease heart disease risk and help treat heart disease if it's already present.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Many of the above types of heart disease develop gradually over a long time. Although you can't change years of lifestyle choices your senior has already made, it's never too late to start with healthy ones! Even if past lifestyle changes have already affected the heart, good future lifestyle choices may prevent further damage and prevent worsening symptoms.
&nbsp;
Here are some potentially powerful lifestyle changes and modifications that may alter the risk or course of heart disease.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Heart-Healthy Diet&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Be vigilant about salt (sodium) intake. The recommended amount of daily salt intake depends on each person&rsquo;s particular health conditions. Check with the doctor for your senior&rsquo;s specific recommended daily sodium intake.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Prepare foods low in fat and sugar, and rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This has a lot of health benefits, not just for the heart.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Experiment with healthier cooking methods, such as baking, steaming, and broiling</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Avoid processed foods that are high in salt, fat, or sugars. Read the labels whenever you buy canned or packaged products.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Limit alcohol intake</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Try to maintain a healthy weight</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">If your loved one has a heart or other medical condition that warrants meeting with a nutritionist or dietitian, these meetings are an excellent opportunity to reinforce your knowledge and understanding of the above points.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Exercise</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Encourage a level of exercise that your loved one can perform</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Review with the doctor or other appropriate medical professional which activities are safe for your senior and are most likely to result in the highest benefit. Considerations include other conditions that could make certain exercises inappropriate; examples include arthritis, specific medications, and balance problems.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Don&rsquo;t make assumptions about which exercises are safe for your senior. An appropriate health care professional can take into account many factors you might not be aware of.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Suggest fun activities that promote exercise so that it doesn't feel like a chore.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Not Smoking</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Smoking is damaging to the cardiovascular system (and almost everything else in the body too!).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Continuing to smoke increases the chances of many types of heart disease (and many other diseases too!).</li>
</ul>
</ul>
 
<h2>Monitoring Symptoms&nbsp;</h2>
Monitor your loved one's heart condition and keep a log of certain factors on a chart or in a diary so you can have a strong sense of what falls within their range of "normal." Some good things to log at reasonable intervals or as recommended by a medical professional include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Heart Rate: Know what range is normal for your loved one. Notify the doctor if rates are significantly higher or lower than usual.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Blood Pressure:&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Have a cuff on the device that&rsquo;s the right size.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Know what blood pressure range is normal for your loved one.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Usually, the doctor will compare readings from a home blood pressure device to readings taken in the office. The doctor will need to decide whether the home blood pressure machine is accurate.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Notify the doctor if your senior&rsquo;s blood pressure is significantly higher or lower than usual.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Level of Dyspnea: Dyspnea means difficult or labored breathing, or shortness of breath. Promptly report significant new or worsening dyspnea.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Cholesterol Levels&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Degree of Fatigue and Vigor</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Amount of Swelling in Their Lower Legs or Ankles: Increased swelling or fluid retention may indicate heart failure or other disease of the heart or lungs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Sleep&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Ask them how they slept the previous night</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Did they feel shortness of breath when lying down? (Can be a sign of heart failure)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Did they wake up at all in the night due to shortness of breath?&nbsp; (Can be a sign of heart failure or lung disease)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Weight&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">Many people are first alerted to worsening heart failure when they notice a weight gain of more than two or three pounds in a 24-48 hour period or more than three to five pounds in a week.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3">It's a good idea to track weight and check in with the doctor if you notice sudden changes. In a senior with heart failure or any other disease that causes fluid retention, it's a good idea to perform daily weights.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
&nbsp;
NOTE: Always be on the lookout for new chest discomfort, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, change in activity or exercise tolerance, rapid weight gain, palpitations, changes in alertness, or other mental functioning changes. These could signal the need for urgent treatment of lung or heart problems.
&nbsp;
<h2>When to Get Help&nbsp;</h2>
It's important to know which symptoms are potential causes for alarm and which are less so. Here are some tips to help you make the call of which it is.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Respiratory Issues&nbsp;
Call the doctor if your loved one: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Feels shorter of breath than at baseline.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Has new or worsening shortness of breath when they lie down, or an hour or two after falling asleep.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Is wheezing and having trouble breathing.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Has a cough that does not go away. It may be dry and hacking, or it may sound wet. They may bring up pink, foamy spit.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Is coughing up blood or frothy pink material.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Chest Issues
Call the doctor if your loved one:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Has chest discomfort (pressure or pain)</li>
<li>Complains of palpitations (a sensation of beating or pounding in the chest)</li>
<li>Has a pulse or heartbeat that gets very slow or very fast, or it&rsquo;s not regular
<ul>
<li>Traditionally, normal pulse rate was considered between 60 and 100 beats per minute; however, these numbers may not be appropriate or relevant for your senior's particular condition. Discuss with the doctor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Has a blood pressure readnig that is significantly lower or higher than their baseline</li>
<li>Has nexplained nausea or vomiting, especially with chest pain (but even if there is no chest pain)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
NOTE: Be aware that people with diabetes, women, and the elderly are well-known to have heart attacks without the typical warnings of chest pain and pressure.
&nbsp;
Cognitive Issues
Call the doctor if:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Your loved one complains of lightheadedness or feels they might pass out</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Their mental status or alertness appears altered</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Concerning Physical Changes
Call the doctor if your loved one: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Is more tired or weak than at baseline and without an alternative apparent benign reason</li>
<li>Has swelling in their feet, ankles, or legs</li>
<li>Has gained or lost weight quickly</li>
<li>Has coolness, whiteness, or bluish/purplish fingers, toes, or lips</li>
<li>Has an unexplained fever, chills, or sweats</li>
<li>Has&nbsp;unexplained pain going down the left arm, or in the neck or jaw</li>
<li>Has pain and tenderness in their belly</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Has to urinate a lot, particularly at night</li>
<li>Has symptoms you think might be from one of their medicines</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Always call 911 if your loved one experiences significantly worsening dyspnea, chest pain or discomfort, severe lightheadedness, syncope (losing consciousness and collapsing), or any other symptom that is sudden and alarming.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
**NOTE: If there's any question about whether to make the call (to the doctor's office or 911), go ahead and do it. Indecisively wavering back and forth can waste precious time that might be critical.
&nbsp;

If your loved one suffers from heart disease, it’s important to monitor their key health factors such as heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, swelling, sleep, and weight. Caregivers should always be on the lookout for new chest discomfort, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or other trouble breathing.

Tips for Dealing with Heart Disease | Ready Set Care

Tips for Dealing with Heart Disease

<h3>Top Takeaways</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Many different kinds of medications are available for stroke treatment and management.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Treatment will be individualized for each stroke survivor and will depend on the type of stroke, what caused it, and other preexisting conditions.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Some medications will be used for only a few months, while others need to be taken for a long time to prevent recurrent strokes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The best way to prevent recurrent strokes is to take medications as prescribed and have regular check-ups.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">When having a stroke, every minute counts. If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 immediately and mention the word stroke.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>Stroke Background</h3>
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about 1 in every 19 deaths in the United States is attributable to stroke. A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. The longer the blockage, the more serious the damage. According to the American Stroke Association, there are four types of stroke:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ischemic Stroke: Happens when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked by a clot or plaque.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemorrhagic Stroke: Happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or ruptures.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): TIA, or ministroke, is temporary and symptoms only last a few minutes up to 24 hours.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cryptogenic Stroke: Strokes that have no known cause.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>Medications After Stroke</h3>
Many different kinds of medications are available for stroke treatment and management. Stroke treatment will be individualized for each patient and will depend on the type of stroke, what caused it, and other preexisting conditions.
These are the most commonly prescribed medications after stroke:
&nbsp;
<h3>Antithrombotic medications:</h3>
Antithrombotic medications, also known as blood thinners, prevent clots from getting bigger but do not dissolve existing clots. Since antithrombotic drugs make people bleed more easily, always tell your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider about these medications before any surgeries or other medical and dental procedures.
There are two types of antithrombotic medications:
&nbsp;
<h4>Anticoagulants</h4>
Anticoagulants reduce the risk of stroke by slowing down clotting and reducing fibrin formation, thus preventing blood from forming clots and existing clots from getting bigger.
Some commonly prescribed anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
For warfarin:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Your loved one may need regular blood tests to check warfarin levels in the blood.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Grapefruit and grapefruit juice increase the amount of warfarin in the blood, which increases the risk of bleeding. Avoid taking together.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Foods rich in vitamin K, such as leafy green and cruciferous vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage, make warfarin less effective. It is ok to eat these foods while taking warfarin, as long as your loved one eats the same amount every day to help keep the amount of warfarin in the blood the same.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Warfarin also interacts with many drugs and natural products. Speak with your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.</li>
</ul>
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa) and dabigitran (Pradaxa), are also commonly used. DOACs work differently than warfarin, require less monitoring and have fewer dietary restrictions.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h4>Antiplatelets</h4>
Antiplatelets reduce the risk of stroke by preventing blood cells, called platelets, from sticking together and forming clots and existing clots from getting bigger.
Some commonly prescribed antiplatelets include Clopidogrel (Plavix) and Aspirin/ Dipyridamole (Aggrenox)
&nbsp;
<h3>Thrombolytic medications:</h3>
&nbsp;Not to be confused with antithrombotic medications, thrombolytic, or clot-busting, medications dissolve existing clots.
Alteplase (tPA) is a commonly used thrombolytic medication:
Alteplase, or tPA, short for tissue plasminogen activator, is an intravenous injection (in the vein) commonly used for emergency treatment of acute ischemic stroke.&nbsp;
Your loved one&rsquo;s neurologist or neurology team will determine whether or not to administer tPA, based on many factors, the most important one being how much time has passed since stroke symptoms started.
For some eligible patients, neurosurgeons may also perform an endovascular mechanical thrombectomy, which is a surgery that places a catheter from the groin up to the blocked blood vessel in the brain. The surgeon then physically pulls out the clot from the blood vessel using a device called a stent retriever.
&nbsp;
<h3>Blood pressure medications</h3>
High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts your loved one at a higher risk for stroke. When blood pressure is constantly high, it can damage blood vessels in the brain, which increases the risk of stroke.&nbsp;
Blood pressure medications help lower and control blood pressure and reduce stroke risk. Some commonly prescribed blood pressure medications include:
&nbsp;
<h4>Thiazide diuretics (water pills)</h4>
Help the body get rid of extra salt and water, which lowers blood pressure. Thiazide diuretics include chlorthalidone (Hygroton), chlorothiazide (Diuril) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
&nbsp;
<h4>Beta-blockers&nbsp;</h4>
Block the effect of stress hormones, like adrenaline, lowering the heart rate (pulse) and the force of heart contractions, thus reducing blood pressure. These include atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal)
<h4>&nbsp;</h4>
<h4>Calcium channel blockers&nbsp;</h4>
Block calcium from entering the heart and blood vessels, helping lower the force of heart contractions and opening up and relaxing blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Examples include Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel)
&nbsp;
<h4>Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
Prevent an enzyme from making angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts (narrows) blood vessels, causing blood vessels to relax and open up and lowering blood pressure. Examples include lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and ramipril (Altace)
&nbsp;
<h4>Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)&nbsp;</h4>
Block the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts (narrows) blood vessels, thus opening them up and reducing blood pressure. Examples include valsartan (Diovan) and losartan (Cozaar)
Your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider will determine which blood pressure medication is best for them depending on their age, race, underlying conditions, and other factors.
&nbsp;
<h3>High cholesterol medications</h3>
Cholesterol is a fatty substance naturally found in the body. The liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs to function properly.
Cholesterol is also found in food. There are two kinds of cholesterol: good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Too much bad cholesterol from food can lead to the building up of plaque in the walls of blood vessels, making them narrower, which can eventually lead to blood clots and stroke.
Statins are very effective in protecting your loved one from having another stroke. Statins help lower the amount of plaque in blood vessels and prevent more from building up and breaking off, thus reducing stroke risk. Some people will need to take statins even if their cholesterol levels are normal.
Some commonly prescribed statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor).&nbsp;
NOTE: This is not a complete list of medications used after a stroke. Your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider may prescribe other medications, such as diabetes medications, antidepressants, and pain medications depending on their response to the stroke, both physically and emotionally.
&nbsp;
<h3>How to Reduce Medication Side Effects?</h3>
Just like any other medication, stroke medications can have undesirable side effects. While some side effects are unavoidable, many can be avoided by doing the following:
<ul>
<li> Taking medications as prescribed</li>
<li> Not missing any doses</li>
<li> Telling your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medications they are taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and natural products.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Future outlook
Clinical trials are ongoing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other major institutions to help find new and improved treatments for stroke and its complications. Speak with your loved one&rsquo;s healthcare provider for the most up-to-date information about stroke treatment and management.
&nbsp;

A&nbsp;clinical Pharmacist with a decade of experience working with health conditions, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s, Diabetes, high blood pressure, and Heart Disease.

Everything you need for caregiving all in one place. Personalized care solutions and resources to help you provide better care.

what-medications-do-you-take-after-a-stroke | Ready Set Care

What Medications Do You Take After a Stroke

Top Takeaways
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">While similar, strokes and aneurysms are different medical health problems.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The best way to prevent strokes and aneurysms is to quit smoking, control blood pressure, take medications as prescribed, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Unruptured aneurysms may not have any symptoms. It is when the aneurysm ruptures that symptoms suddenly show up.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Strokes and ruptured aneurysms are life-threatening medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>Definition</h3>
&nbsp;
Stroke
A stroke, or brain attack, happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked. The longer the blockage, the more serious the damage. Brain damage can lead to some loss of memory and muscle control.&nbsp;
&nbsp;The two most common types of strokes are:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ischemic stroke: when a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hemorrhagic stroke: when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is an abnormality or weakness in the wall of a blood vessel in the body. This abnormality can be congenital (a person is born with it) or can happen over time as a person gets older and other factors.
While aneurysms may occur anywhere in the body, they most commonly occur in the brain and the heart&rsquo;s aorta. This weakness causes the blood vessel to bulge, or balloon, and sometimes rupture. A brain aneurysm, or cerebral aneurysm, is a weakness in an artery in the brain. This article will focus on brain aneurysms.
Aneurysms can be unruptured, where the weak blood vessel is still intact, and ruptured, where the blood vessel bursts. Ruptured brain aneurysms can lead to hemorrhagic stroke, which can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the space between the skull and the brain).
&nbsp;
<h3>Difference</h3>
The main difference between a stroke and an aneurysm is that while all strokes are medical emergencies, only ruptured aneurysms are medical emergencies.
When properly diagnosed, monitored, and sometimes treated, small unruptured aneurysms may not turn into life-threatening medical emergencies.
&nbsp;
<h3>Risk Factors</h3>
Risk factors can be modifiable (can be controlled) and non-modifiable (cannot be controlled):
&nbsp;
Stroke
Modifiable Risk Factors&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Smoking</li>
<li>Excessive alcohol use</li>
<li>Drug use, especially cocaine</li>
<li>Obesity and physical inactivity&nbsp;</li>
<li>High blood pressure (hypertension)</li>
<li>High cholesterol levels, especially if the person has atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries due to the buildup of plaque)</li>
<li>Diabetes&nbsp;</li>
<li>Heart disease, including atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)</li>
<li>Arterial disease, including carotid arterial disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)</li>
<li>Sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Age: Stroke risk increases with age</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Stroke risk is higher in African Americans</li>
<li>Gender: Stroke risk is higher in men. However, since women live longer and stroke risk increases with age, women have more strokes than men!</li>
<li>Family history: If a person&rsquo;s grandparent, parent, or sibling suffered from a stroke, especially if they were younger than 65 years, that person&rsquo;s risk of stroke is higher</li>
<li>Prior stroke: stroke risk is higher for a person who has already had a stroke</li>
<li>Prior heart attack: stroke risk is higher in people who have had a heart attack</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Aneurysm
Modifiable Risk Factors&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Smoking</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">High blood pressure</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Excessive alcohol use</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Drug use, especially cocaine</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Age: adults over the age of 40 are at an increased risk for brain aneurysms</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ethnicity: risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm is higher in African Americans.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Gender: risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm is higher in women</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Family history: If a person&rsquo;s grandparent, parent, or sibling suffered from a brain aneurysm, that person&rsquo;s risk is higher</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prior aneurysm: risk is higher for a person who has already had an aneurysm</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Infection or congenital abnormality in the brain&rsquo;s artery wall</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Severe head trauma</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Polycystic kidney disease</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Strokes and ruptured aneurysms can have devastating complications that lead to long-term disability and even death. Patients can lower their risk by changing the modifiable risk factors, including taking the recommended medications and lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, exercising, not using drugs, drinking less alcohol, and eating healthier.
&nbsp;
<h3>Symptoms and Warning Signs</h3>
Some symptoms and warning signs are common in strokes and aneurysms, while others are unique to each condition.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Stroke
Some of the most common symptoms and warning signs of a stroke include:
<ul>
<li> Drooping and numbness in one side of the face or body</li>
<li> Weakness and inability to lift arm</li>
<li> Slurred speech or difficulty speaking</li>
<li> Confusion</li>
<li> Double vision and other vision problems</li>
<li> Difficulty with balance and coordination</li>
<li> Sudden, severe headache</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Both the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recommend using the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember how to spot signs of a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
F: Face drooping
A: Arm weakness
S: Speech problems
T: Time to call 911
&nbsp;
Aneurysm
Symptoms and warning signs depend on the size of the aneurysm and whether it is intact, leaking, or ruptured:
&nbsp;
A small, unruptured aneurysm often doesn&rsquo;t have any noticeable symptoms or warning signs.
A large, unruptured aneurysm&nbsp;often has the following symptoms:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li> &nbsp; Weakness and numbness in one or both limbs</li>
<li> &nbsp; Difficulty speaking</li>
<li> &nbsp; Confusion</li>
<li> &nbsp; Double vision and other vision problems</li>
<li> &nbsp; Difficulty with balance and coordination</li>
<li> &nbsp; Pain around one eye</li>
<li> &nbsp; Enlarged pupil in one eye</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Leaking aneurysm:&nbsp;The most noticeable symptom of a leaking aneurysm is a sudden and severe headache. A small leak often leads to a large leak and eventually a ruptured aneurysm.
&nbsp;
Ruptured aneurysm:
<ul>
<li> &nbsp; A sudden, extremely severe headache often described as the worst headache in a person&rsquo;s life</li>
<li> &nbsp; Stiff neck&nbsp;</li>
<li> &nbsp; Nausea and vomiting&nbsp;</li>
<li> &nbsp; Seizure&nbsp;</li>
<li> &nbsp; Loss of consciousness&nbsp;</li>
<li> &nbsp; Sensitivity to light</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h4>If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke or a brain aneurysm, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.</h4>
&nbsp;
<h3>Diagnosis</h3>
Healthcare professionals will diagnose strokes and aneurysms based on symptoms, personal medical history, medications, family history, and other factors. Some of the tools used to diagnose strokes and aneurysms include:
&nbsp;
Computed Tomography scan (CT scan)
A CT scan, or CAT scan, is a non-invasive tool that uses X-rays and computer technology to show images of the areas of the brain affected by a stroke or aneurysm, including any bleeding in or around the brain.
&nbsp;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI is a non-invasive tool that uses a magnetic field and radio-frequency waves to show detailed images of the brain, including soft brain tissue.
&nbsp;
Your loved one&rsquo;s doctor will decide whether they need a CT scan, MRI, or other imaging tests.
&nbsp;
<h3>Treatment</h3>
Treatment will depend on the type of stroke or brain aneurysm, severity, medical history, age, and other factors. The following is a general overview of treatments available for strokes and brain aneurysms:
&nbsp;
Stroke
Different types of strokes require different treatment protocols.
&nbsp;
Ischemic stroke
Doctors may give your loved one a tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, to break up a clot. Later, doctors may also prescribe blood thinners, statins, blood pressure medications, and other medications to prevent future strokes.
Neurosurgeons may also perform a thrombectomy, which is a surgery that places a catheter from the groin up to the blocked blood vessel in the brain. The neurosurgeon then pulls out the clot from the blood vessel using a stent retriever.
&nbsp;
Hemorrhagic stroke
Treatment depends on the type and location of the hemorrhagic stroke. A combination of medications and surgery may be needed to control the bleeding in the brain and reduce the pressure caused by that bleeding.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Aneurysm
Unruptured aneurysm
Doctors may prescribe medications to prevent future rupture of the aneurysm. Doctors may also recommend regular imaging tests to ensure that the aneurysm is not getting any bigger. Although not common, some patients with a high risk for aneurysm rupture may also be eligible for surgery.
&nbsp;
Ruptured aneurysm
A ruptured aneurysm needs emergency surgery. The two most common procedures used for ruptured brain aneurysms are surgical clipping and endovascular coiling.
Surgical clipping is an open surgery where the neurosurgeon opens a section of the skull to find the aneurysm, then places a small metal clip at the bottom of the aneurysm to close off the blood flow into it and prevent further bulging or leaking.
Endovascular coiling is less invasive than surgical clipping, where the surgeon reaches the brain by inserting a catheter from the groin or wrist into the artery in the brain. The surgeon then inserts a platinum coil to destroy the aneurysm.
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Caregivers can speak with their loved one's healthcare provider to learn more about the best treatment course.
&nbsp;

A clinical Pharmacist with a decade of experience working with health conditions, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.&nbsp;

While similar, strokes and aneurysms are different medical health problems.

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