Ty Shang, M.D., Ph.D. Answers Questions On: Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular conditions are those that affect blood vessels in the brain.  They include problems such as narrow, blocked, weak, bulging, and ruptured vessels.

Factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions, as well as smoking, certain medications, and genetics can contribute to cerebrovascular condition

Undiagnosed, untreated, or treated inappropriately, cerebrovascular conditions are likely to lead to stroke or recurrent stroke. In delivering evidence-based preventive stroke care, I’m especially committed to correctly diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular disease and stroke.

Yes. There are two types of stroke – ischemic and hemorrhagic – and there are differences and similarities between them. Conducting neurodiagnostic imaging studies, such as CT or MRI scans, is the only way to be certain which kind someone has had.

Ischemic stroke – which is far more common – occurs when there’s a blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel ruptures (bursts), causing bleeding in the brain.

Both types of stroke stem from a combination of cerebrovascular problems (blocked or ruptured blood vessels, for instance) and cause neuron death in the central nervous system – a condition that cause loss of control of your body.

While both can cause symptoms such as weakness and numbness in the arms, legs, and face, hemorrhagic stroke usually causes a severe headache, as well.

Because hemorrhagic stroke tends to cause more tissue damage than ischemic stroke, the consequences are typically more severe and the mortality much higher.

In general, three things influence the amount of damage to brain tissue – and the long-term patient outcome – in someone who has a stroke:

• Time to get treatment – People should call 911 or have someone drive them to the emergency room as quickly as possible if they experience stroke symptoms.
  
• Patient factors – Things like age, overall health, existing medical conditions, and genetic background all impact how well patients do.
  
• Quality of care – Studies consistently show that patients treated at designated stroke units have much lower rates of mortality and morbidity, and better outcomes.
  

The quality of acute care, in particular, can really make a difference in outcomes for stroke patients. With prompt, expert treatment, even some patients who are paralyzed from a stroke when they arrive at the hospital are able to walk out.

UT Southwestern’s Joint Commission-designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center delivers the highest level of stroke care, and our patient outcomes are among the nation’s best.