Señales de advertencia de derrame cerebral y derrame cerebral
What is a Stroke?
Stroke ranks among the top causes of death in the U.S. and is the leading contributor to long-term disability. It occurs when blood flow to the brain, spinal cord, or retina is disrupted. Each year, over 795,000 Americans experience a stroke, accounting for more than half of all neurological hospitalizations. Many survivors face lasting impairments that prevent them from returning to work, resulting in significant financial and personal costs.
Recognizing stroke symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention is critical. Calling 911 ensures faster access to emergency care, which can be lifesaving.
Identifying stroke symptoms and acting quickly to be evaluated by emergency medical personnel is the first step in the treatment of any type of stroke.
Signs of Stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Calling 911 right away with any of the signs above in yourself or someone else is a must and has been shown to reduce the time it takes for the stroke patient to receive lifesaving treatment.
What Causes a Stroke?
Strokes fall into two main categories:
Ischemic (non-bleeding) strokes – the most common type, caused by blocked arteries that prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching parts of the brain, spinal cord, or retina. This blockage can result from plaque buildup over time, especially in the carotid arteries, or from clots that travel from the heart or other organs.
Hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes – less frequent but often more severe, these occur when a blood vessel ruptures. High blood pressure is a major risk factor. Aneurysms—balloon-like bulges in arteries—can also burst and cause bleeding in the brain’s subarachnoid space. Detecting aneurysms before they rupture is key to preventing this type of stroke.
Stroke Treatment
For ischemic strokes, a clot-dissolving drug called t-PA may be administered if the patient arrives within a 3-hour window from symptom onset. This treatment can be highly effective but carries a risk of bleeding, so timing and evaluation are crucial.
Not all patients qualify for t-PA. In such cases, hospital care focuses on stabilizing vital signs, managing fluids and electrolytes, and sometimes performing surgery to relieve pressure from large strokes. Diagnostic tests help pinpoint the stroke’s cause and location to guide future prevention.
For hemorrhagic strokes, patients are closely monitored in a neuro ICU. If an aneurysm is the cause, surgical or endovascular treatment may be necessary to stop the bleeding and prevent further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke
La recuperación varía según el tipo y la gravedad del accidente cerebrovascular. Algunos accidentes cerebrovasculares tienen excelentes resultados, mientras que otros requieren una rehabilitación más prolongada. La mayor parte de la recuperación ocurre dentro de los primeros seis meses. La atención continua con su médico y especialistas es vital para prevenir futuros accidentes cerebrovasculares y apoyar su viaje de recuperación.
Esta respuesta varía según el tipo y la gravedad del accidente cerebrovascular. En general, los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular pueden esperar una estadía hospitalaria de 2 a 3 días para permitir el tratamiento inicial y la investigación del accidente cerebrovascular. Los pacientes a menudo salen del hospital con nuevos medicamentos para ayudar a prevenir el accidente cerebrovascular. Las consideraciones adicionales incluyen la forma de rehabilitación necesaria y cuánta asistencia necesitará un paciente . La terapia física, ocupacional y del habla son formas de terapia que se utilizan para ayudar a tratar a los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular. Muchos pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular requieren rehabilitación hospitalaria temporal o transición a un centro de enfermería que tenga terapias de apoyo.
Sí. Controlar la presión arterial, el colesterol y la diabetes es esencial. Los anticoagulantes pueden ayudar a prevenir accidentes cerebrovasculares en personas con fibrilación auricular. Los hábitos saludables como el ejercicio y el control de peso también reducen el riesgo. Las imágenes pueden detectar placa de la arteria carótida o aneurismas cerebrales, que pueden tratarse quirúrgicamente o no quirúrgicamente. Después de un accidente cerebrovascular, los medicamentos y un plan de atención coordinado pueden ayudar a prevenir la recurrencia.
Varias afecciones aumentan el riesgo de accidente cerebrovascular: presión arterial alta, colesterol alto, diabetes y fibrilación auricular. Los factores del estilo de vida como fumar y el consumo excesivo de alcohol también contribuyen. Si bien el accidente cerebrovascular puede afectar a cualquier grupo de edad, los hombres generalmente ven un mayor riesgo a los 60 años y las mujeres a los 70. Los adultos más jóvenes pueden verse afectados por traumatismos, trastornos de la coagulación o migrañas. Un historial de AIT o accidente cerebrovascular también aumenta el riesgo.
Un ataque isquémico transitorio o AIT es una señal de advertencia de accidente cerebrovascular. Los síntomas de los AIT son los mismos que los del accidente cerebrovascular y, a menudo, solo duran minutos. Si bien solo una pequeña proporción de accidentes cerebrovasculares están precedidos por un AIT, estos síntomas son muy importantes ya que los accidentes cerebrovasculares pueden ocurrir dentro de los días posteriores a la ocurrencia de un AIT.
Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification & Awards for Stroke Care
Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen is certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV GL Healthcare, the first Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Valley and south of San Antonio. Comprehensive Stroke Centers represent the most advanced stroke treatment available in each geographic area. The certification affirms that Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen addresses the full spectrum of cerebrovascular diseases—diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and education—and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes. It is based on standards created by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers can treat patients suffering hemorrhagic or large ischemic strokes with follow-up care in an intensive care unit. They can also treat patients with suspected aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, those requiring specialized testing or therapies such as endovascular surgery, and those requiring multispecialty management.
Both Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center – Brownsville have been recognized with the American Heart Association’s “Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines – Stroke” quality achievement award.