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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Stroke: Diagnosis, Tests, & Signs of Stroke

Stroke

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Support Groups

Calling Your Health Care Provider

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Alternate Names : Cerebral Infarction, Cerebrovascular Disease, CVA


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Stroke Diagnosis & Tests

In diagnosing a stroke, knowing how the symptoms developed is important. The symptoms may be severe at the beginning of the stroke, or they may progress or fluctuate for the first day or two (stroke in evolution). Once there is no further deterioration, the stroke is considered completed.

During the exam, your doctor will look for specific neurologic, motor, and sensory deficits. These often correspond closely to the location of the injury in the brain. An examination may show changes in vision or visual fields, abnormal reflexes, abnormal eye movements, muscle weakness, decreased sensation, and other changes. A "bruit" (an abnormal sound heard with the stethoscope) may be heard over the carotid arteries of the neck. There may be signs of atrial fibrillation.

Tests are performed to determine the type, location, and cause of the stroke and to rule out other disorders that may be responsible for the symptoms. These tests include:

  • Head CT or head MRI -- used to determine if the stroke was caused by bleeding (hemorrhage) or other lesions and to define the location and extent of the stroke.
  • ECG (electrocardiogram) -- used to diagnose underlying heart disorders.
  • Echocardiogram -- used if the cause may be an embolus (blood clot) from the heart.
  • Carotid duplex (a type of ultrasound) -- used if the cause may be carotid artery stenosis (narrowing of the major blood vessels supplying blood to the brain).
  • Heart monitor -- worn while in the hospital or as an outpatient to determine if a heart arrhythmia (like atrial fibrillation) may be responsible for your stroke.
  • Cerebral (head) angiography -- may be done so that the doctor can identify the blood vessel responsible for the stroke. Mainly used if suregery is being considered.
  • Blood work may be done to exclude immune conditions or abnormal clotting of the blood that can lead to clot formation.


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Definition
Stroke Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Stroke Symptoms & Signs
Stroke Prevention
Stroke Diagnosis & Tests
Stroke Treatment
Stroke Prognosis
Stroke Complications
Stroke Support Groups
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
Blood Clots
Concussion
Diabetes
Endocarditis
Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hypertension
Lipid Disorders - Acquired
Stroke Secondary to Atherosclerosis
Stroke Secondary to Carotid Dissection
Stroke Secondary to Carotid Stenosis
Stroke Secondary to Cocaine
Stroke Secondary to FMD
Stroke Secondary to Syphilis
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Tests & Exams

Carotid Duplex
Cerebral Angiography
Cranial CT Scan
ECG
Echocardiogram
MRI of the Head
Visual Field

Surgery & Procedures

Carotid Artery Surgery
Feeding Tube Insertion - Gastrostomy

Other Topics

Advanced Care Directives
Aspiration
Consciousness - Decreased
Contracture Deformity
Depression
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Eye Movements - Uncontrollable
Eyelid Drooping
Fatigue
Intravenous
Movement - Uncoordinated
Muscle Cramps
Muscle Function Loss
Numbness and Tingling
Pain Medications
Speech Impairment (Adult)
Swallowing Difficulty
Unconsciousness - First Aid
Urinary Incontinence
Vision Problems
Weakness

Review Date : 9/2/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/06/2002).

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