Stroke Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

The primary cause of a stroke is the disruption of blood flow to the brain, which deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, leading to their damage or death.

Your brain needs a constant supply of oxygen. From the moment you see stroke symptoms, every minute makes a difference.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

Remember BE FAST

• Balance. Sudden loss of coordination or balance.
• Eyes. Sudden change in vision.
• Face. Weakness on one side or facial droop.
• Arm or leg. Weakness or numbness.
• Speech difficulty. Slurred or trouble understanding speech.
• Terrible headache. Sudden onset.

If you have sudden onset of any of these symptoms, call 911 right away!

Less Common Stroke Symptoms

In posterior circulation strokes (located in the back of the brain), symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, vision disturbances, being “off balance” or headache. In hemorrhagic stroke, a sudden, severe, terrible headache may occur.

Stroke Prevention: Reduce Your Stroke Risk

Did you know 80% of strokes could be prevented? You can reduce your risk of stroke by taking these steps.

• Control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars.
• Avoid smoking or vaping.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise.
• Keep a healthy weight.

Video developed in partnership between high school students from Elmbrook and Wauwatosa in the health care segment of the LAUNCH Program and mentors from the Froedtert & MCW stroke team. The group received an award from the Coverdell Stroke Program, part of the Wisconsin Chronic Disease Prevention Program (CDPP). 

When Seconds Count for Stroke Survival and Recovery

Seconds count when responding to a stroke. Neurons die rapidly during the first hours after stroke onset and limiting the extent of damage requires urgent diagnosis and treatment.

Acute Stroke Team Available 24/7 at Froedtert Hospital

The Froedtert Acute Stroke Team is ready 24 hours a day to respond to the acute needs of stroke patients. Members have the training and expertise to treat all types of stroke safely and efficiently and a neurologist is available onsite around the clock.

Patients have the right to choose their location for care. There are instances in which a patient may need to be transported to another facility.

Acute Stroke Team Facts

Our stroke experts offer patients the following advantages:

• 24/7 emergency department coverage by stroke specialists
• Specialized protocols for rapid evaluation
• Average door-to-CT (diagnosis) time less than 30 minutes
• Average door-to-needle (clot-busting medication) time less than 40 minutes
• More procedures for stroke intervention are performed at Froedtert Hospital than any other hospital in Wisconsin.

Team members include critical care neurologists, interventional neurologists, neurosurgeons, emergency medicine physicians and nurse specialists – all of the experts needed for complete emergency stroke care.

As eastern Wisconsin’s only certified Adult Level I Trauma Center, physicians and staff at our Emergency Department are specially trained in stroke recognition. They also are experts in emergency treatment for ruptured brain aneurysms and raised intracranial pressure, an increase in pressure inside the skull that results from or causes brain injury.

We treat stroke at the following locations:

• Froedtert Hospital, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Milwaukee
• Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, Primary Stroke Center, Menomonee Falls
• Froedtert West Bend Hospital, Primary Stroke Center, West Bend

We collaborate with Flight For Life for emergency air transport and work with hospitals throughout the area to transfer patients or bring physician expertise to them.

Types of Stroke

The type of stroke will determine the best course of treatment.

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic strokes are the most common type, accounting for around 87% of all strokes. They occur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. Causes can include plaque build-up in the arteries, often referred to as atherosclerosis, or other potential factors like atrial fibrillation.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into or around the brain. This can result from hypertension (high blood pressure), an aneurysm that bursts or bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — an abnormal tangle of blood vessels.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Often called a "mini-stroke," a transient ischemic attack is a temporary blockage that resolves quickly, usually within minutes or hours. It’s a critical warning sign and should prompt immediate medical evaluation, as it can precede a more serious stroke. 

While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are major warnings and should not be ignored. About one-third of the people who have a TIA go on to have a more severe stroke within a year. People who have severe strokes often report having earlier warning strokes. Treatment often includes medication and lifestyle changes and could include surgery. Effective treatment may help reduce your risk for stroke or another TIA.

Other Stroke Categories 

Strokes can further be classified based on their source and mechanism, such as embolic strokes, caused by clots that form elsewhere in the body and travel to the brain. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common cause for embolic strokes.

Stroke Risk Factors

Age is a non-modifiable risk factor, with most strokes occurring in people over 65. However, younger people are not immune. Modifiable risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. Talk to your doctor or clinician about treating these conditions or stopping these behaviors. 

• High blood pressure: This is one of the biggest reasons people have strokes. It puts extra stress on blood vessels in the brain.
• Smoking and vaping: These can harm your blood vessels, which raises the chance of having a stroke.
• Diabetes: Diabetes makes it hard for your body to handle sugar properly. Too much sugar in the blood can damage blood vessels and raise your risk of stroke.
• High cholesterol: Cholesterol can build up in your arteries and block blood flow to the brain, which can cause a stroke.
• Lack of exercise and being overweight: Not moving enough or being overweight can lead to heart problems and stroke. Learn about weight management.
• Artery disease: If the arteries that carry blood to your brain get blocked or damaged, it can lead to a stroke.
• Mini-strokes (TIAs): These are warning signs of a major stroke. They cause stroke-like symptoms but usually go away. Still, they should be taken seriously.
• Irregular heartbeat (AFib): This causes the heart to beat out of rhythm, which can lead to blood clots and stroke. It makes stroke five times more likely.
• Blood problems: Some conditions, like sickle cell disease or having too many red blood cells, can make your blood more likely to clot and cause a stroke.
• Too much alcohol: Drinking a lot—especially binge drinking—can raise your risk of stroke.
• Illegal drugs: Drugs like cocaine, heroin and ecstasy can raise your chance of having a stroke.
• Sleep apnea: This sleep disorder causes you to stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. It increases stroke risk and is also more common after a stroke.

Treatment for Stroke

The chances of a positive outcome increase when there is a fast response. It is important to call 911 as soon as you see symptoms so treatment can start right away. Do not drive yourself or have someone else drive you to the emergency department. The emergency team on the ambulance can start assessments and alert the hospital to your arrival and symptoms.

Acute Treatment

Treatment for stroke needs to be rapid. In the case of an ischemic stroke, clot-busting medicines, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), are often used to dissolve the clot if administered within a few hours of the stroke’s onset. To be eligible to receive a thrombolytic drug, a doctor must diagnose your stroke as an ischemic stroke and treat you within 3 to 4.5 hours of onset of stroke symptoms.

Surgical Intervention

Procedures like thrombectomy can be performed to remove the clot in certain patients with severe ischemic strokes and when the clot-busting medication doesn't completely dissolve the clot. To remove the clot, doctors thread a catheter (thin tube) with a stent through an artery in the groin up to the blocked artery in the brain. The stent opens and grabs the clot. The doctors then remove the stent with the trapped clot. If necessary, other devices may also be used. Patients must meet certain criteria to be eligible for this procedure. 

For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgical clipping or coiling procedures may be needed to prevent further bleeding or reduce pressure on the brain. Surgeons place a metal clip at the base of an aneurysm to stop the bleeding. A clip may also be placed to remove the abnormal vessels that make up an AVM. Some procedures are less invasive and use a catheter that goes in through a major artery in the leg or arm. The catheter is guided to the aneurysm or AVM, where it places a device, such as a coil, to prevent rupture.

Rehabilitation for Stroke Recovery

Rehabilitation is critical for recovery after a stroke, focusing on regaining abilities and promoting independence. It's a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach that might involve speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. 

We also offer Vivistim^® Paired VNS System to improve hand and arm function in stroke survivors.

Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital

Our inpatient rehabilitation hospital offers specialized physical, occupational and speech therapies for individuals recovering from an illness or injury. 

We care for patients healing from a variety of conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and strokes. Our comprehensive team uses advanced technology, tailored therapies and engaging activities to assist in recovery, and help patients regain their independence and improve long-term quality of life.

Learn More

Can a Stroke Be Cured

While complete recovery from a stroke is possible, especially with swift and thorough treatment, it may not always be feasible depending on the severity and location of the stroke. Rehabilitation and long-term care are often required to manage symptoms and regain functions.

When someone has a stroke, they are at risk of having another stroke. Once the medical team identifies what caused the stroke, they may prescribe treatments or procedures to reduce the risk of a second stroke. Aspirin and other anticoagulants (warfarin) can help prevent clots. Surgery can remove and correct blockages caused by fatty deposits and clots before they cause a stroke.