Stroke is a condition when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Without blood, the brain will not get oxygen and nutrients, so cells in some areas of the brain will die. This condition causes the body parts controlled by the damaged area of ​​the brain to not function properly.

Stroke is an emergency condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible, because brain cells can die in just a matter of minutes. Prompt and appropriate treatment measures can minimize the level of brain damage and prevent possible complications.

Stroke Risk Factors

Health factors, including:
- hypertension
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- obesity
- heart disease, such as: heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart infection, or arrhythmia, sleep apnea, previous TIA or heart attack.

Lifestyle factors, including:

- smoking
- lack of exercise or physical activity
- consumption of illegal drugs
- alcohol addiction.

Other factors:

- heredity (genetic)
- Age with increasing age, a person has a higher risk of stroke than younger people.

Causes of Stroke

There are two types of stroke, namely:

Ischemic stroke.
An ischemic stroke occurs when the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the brain become narrowed, causing reduced blood flow to the brain. This condition is also known as ischemia. Ischemic stroke can be further divided into 2 types, thrombotic stroke and embolic stroke.

hemorrhagic stroke.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes bleeding. These conditions include uncontrolled hypertension, weakening of blood vessel walls, and treatment with blood thinners. Hemorrhagic stroke consists of two types, namely intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Stroke Symptoms

One side of the face will look down and unable to smile because of drooping mouth or eyes.
Unable to lift one arm due to weakness or numbness. Not only the arms, the legs on the one side of the arm also experience weakness.
Speech is not clear, garbled, or even unable to speak at all even though the sufferer looks conscious.
Nausea and vomiting.
Severe headache that comes on suddenly, accompanied by stiff neck and spinning dizziness (vertigo).
Loss of consciousness.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), resulting in choking.
Disorders of balance and coordination.
Sudden loss of vision or double vision.


Author : dr. Bernarita Akpri Anggraini (Medical Services Doctor of PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory Jl. MT. Haryono no. 5-7 Balikpapan)