An ischemic stroke is when blood vessels to the brain become narrowed or clogged, cutting off blood flow. When the blood supply is disrupted, that area of your brain can no longer function. Transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a “mini stroke,” is when the blood vessel is blocked temporarily. TIAs are warnings that a stroke or heart attack could happen in the future.
Medical teams use the term cerebrovascular accident (CVA) to describe ischemic stroke. Like all accidents, strokes happen quickly and often without warning. Signs of stroke are always an emergency. Delaying care can lead to death or permanent disability.
MedStar Health delivers around-the-clock, comprehensive stroke care at our hospitals from Baltimore to D.C. Our specialized stroke teams offer the most innovative treatments and structured rehabilitation services to give patients the best chance for positive outcomes.
Three key facts about ischemic stroke and TIA:
- Up to 40% of patients who have a TIA will have an ischemic stroke.
- Strokes are on the rise in young adults—about 10% of strokes in the U.S. occur in people younger than 50.
- Risk factors associated with stroke include type 2 diabetes, smoking, pregnancy, migraine disorders, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Symptoms of stroke: BE FAST
If you suspect that a loved one may be having a stroke, conduct the “BE F.A.S.T.” quick check:
- B - Balance: Watch for a sudden loss of balance.
- E - Eyes: Is there a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes? Or double vision?
- F- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does the face droop?
- A- Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
- T- Time: If you observe any of these signs, then it's time to call 911.
BE FAST
Learn the signs of a stroke using the BE FAST acronym.
What causes ischemic stroke?
Ischemic strokes can be caused by blood clots or plaque fragments that block a blood vessel, stopping blood flow to the brain. Plaques are made from particles that include cholesterol that break away from buildup inside the blood vessels. This is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Several factors can increase the risk of stroke, including:
- Advanced age
- Family or personal history of stroke or TIA
- Heart or vascular disease, including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Carotid artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Blood clotting disorders
- Tobacco, illegal drug, or excessive alcohol use
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
The most important changes you can make are to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, get regular exercise, and take your medications as prescribed.
Diagnosis and treatment
At the hospital, a specialized stroke team will run diagnostic tests to learn whether you are having an ischemic stroke (caused by a clot blockage) versus a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a ruptured blood vessel). Imaging scans can show the location and extent of brain injury and the condition of the arteries in the heart and neck that supply blood to the brain.
Medication
A medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can prevent further damage by restoring blood flow and oxygen. Given by IV, it works with your body's enzymes to dissolve blood clots. Timing is critical: To work, tPA must be given within 4.5 hours from when stroke symptoms appear.
Surgery
In a mechanical thrombectomy procedure, a surgeon uses a catheter device to collect and remove a blockage that is causing a stroke. The catheter is placed within an artery and guided to the blockage. Then a stent retriever or clot suction device captures and removes the blockage, restoring blood flow to the brain.
Stroke rehabilitation
When the emergency is over, you will be admitted to a neurology intensive care unit for close monitoring. Your stroke team will continue testing for lingering or possibly permanent brain injury. Your neurologist may prescribe medications to reduce swelling, prevent blood clots, or lower cholesterol levels.
Some patients will have stroke complications that require specialized care. The MedStar Health stroke rehabilitation team will create a comprehensive plan to regain or improve speech, walking, and self-care. We will support you with guidance and encouragement every step of the way.
Understanding stroke and stroke recovery
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Neurology
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Margaret Bassett, CRNP
Memory And Cognitive Disorders Neurology & Neurology
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Ahmareen Baten, MD
Epilepsy Neurology & Neurology
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James Lyle Bicksel, MD
Neurology & Memory And Cognitive Disorders Neurology
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Kathleen M Burger, DO
Neurology
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Shannon P. Burton, AGACNP-BC
Neurology
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Melanie Chadwick, CRNP
Neurology
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Elliot T. Dawson, MD
Vascular Neurology, Neurology & Stroke
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Mary Carter Denny, MD
Vascular Neurology & Neurology
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Shreya Uday Gandhy, DO
Neurology
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Prerna Malla, MBBS
Neurology
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Jose G. Merino-Juarez, MD
Vascular Neurology & Neurology
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Bilaal Sirdar, MD
Neurology
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Andrew Benjamin Stemer, MD
Neurology
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Susan Stuart, CFNP
Neurology
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Tricia Y. Ting, MD
Neurology
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Raymond Scott Turner, MD
Memory And Cognitive Disorders Neurology & Neurology
Show All Neurology
Research and clinical trials
MedStar Health patients may have access to clinical trials, which offer the latest stroke therapies before they are widely available elsewhere.