When there is a stroke, seconds matter. Timely and precise stroke diagnosis is essential to limit brain damage and ensure maximum recovery. For those who are not well-versed in stroke symptoms and diagnosis, it is simple to feel lost or confused by the jargon and procedures used. But knowing something about diagnostic tests for stroke, the procedures, and what will happen can make all the difference in dealing with a stroke emergency.
This blog article will walk you through the most essential elements of stroke diagnosis, specifically the various brain stroke tests, the diagnostic assessment of stroke, and why quick testing is necessary. Whether you’re a carer for a loved one or want to know more about stroke, this guide will provide insight into how doctors utilise diagnostic measures to identify and treat stroke as fast and effectively as can be done.
What Is a Stroke?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of stroke diagnosis, it’s helpful to know what a stroke is. A stroke happens when there is an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain, which causes brain cells to lose oxygen. There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischaemic Stroke: Resulting from a blockage in an artery that feeds blood to the brain, usually caused by blood clots.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Resulting from a break in a blood vessel within the brain, causing bleeding.
Each stroke needs to be treated medically as quickly as possible, and diagnosis is initiated once a stroke is suspected.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
Knowing the signs of a stroke is vital for a prompt stroke diagnosis. Some common symptoms are:
- Sudden weakness or numbness in one side of the body (usually the face, arm, or leg)
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden vision changes, including double vision or blurred vision
- Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance
- Severe headache without any known cause
It should be noted that stroke symptoms may appear suddenly and can range from mild to severe. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to get immediate medical care.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Stroke: The Initial Steps
When a person comes in with suspected signs of stroke, medical professionals have a standard procedure to identify whether a stroke has taken place. The stroke diagnostic examination usually begins with a physical and neurological examination, which is supplemented by imaging and other diagnostic examinations to establish the type of stroke and the magnitude of the damage.
1. Physical and Neurological Examination
The initial step in diagnosing a stroke is an immediate neurological and physical examination. The physician will evaluate the patient’s:
- Cognitive function (e.g., speech, understanding, memory)
- Motor skills (e.g., strength and coordination)
- Reflexes
- Sensory abilities (e.g., sensation in the limbs)
- Vision (evaluation for changes in vision or signs of a visual field deficit)
Also, the medical practitioner can utilise the FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) to rapidly evaluate stroke symptoms. In case any of the stroke signs are identified, the diagnosis process will continue with additional testing.
Diagnostic Tests for Stroke
There are a few diagnostic tests for stroke that are employed to determine the cause, location, and severity of the stroke. These diagnostic tests are essential for identifying the correct course of treatment. The most widespread diagnostic tests employed are:
1. CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
- A CT scan is usually the first imaging test run when a stroke is suspected. A CT scan is a rapid and useful means to identify whether a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding within the brain) has occurred. A CT scan employs X-rays to generate detailed pictures of the brain and can assist in the identification of blood clots, tumours, or bleeding.
2. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- An MRI reveals more image information than a CT scan and has the ability to diagnose ischaemic strokes (produced due to obstructions). MRIS also best reveal the damage caused in the brain tissues and more accurately identify where the stroke happened. Small ischaemic strokes might not appear visible on a CT scan but could be found on MRI scans.
3. Cerebral Angiography
- Cerebral angiography is an invasive test in which a dye is injected into the blood vessels to create images of the blood vessels of the brain. It is usually applied if there is a suspicion of a block or narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to the brain.
4. Echocardiogram
- Echocardiograms can also be utilised to screen for any blood clots or heart disease that could have led to the stroke. Echocardiograms employ sound waves to create a picture of the structure and function of the heart.
5. Carotid Ultrasound
- A carotid ultrasound is an imaging test done without the insertion of a device or needle inside the body, and it measures sound waves that check the carotid arteries, which sit on either side of the neck, for narrowed or blocked areas. The procedure may be helpful in detecting such narrowing or blocking, which may be causing an ischaemic stroke.
Brain Stroke Test: How to Determine the Type of Stroke
Assessment of the nature of stroke (ischaemic or hemorrhagic) is important in deciding on the treatment. The brain stroke test or imaging tests, such as CT and MRI scans, are the major methods employed for the same. The following are the ways these tests help identify the nature of stroke:
Ischaemic Stroke:
- Ischaemic strokes result when a blood clot or plaque obstructs an artery in the brain. Ischaemic strokes are best diagnosed using CT scans and MRIs, which detect the presence of blood clots and can indicate regions of the brain where oxygen has been deprived.
Hemorrhagic Stroke:
- Hemorrhagic strokes occur when one of the blood vessels within the brain breaks and haemorrhages. CT scans are the best test for detecting this kind of stroke because they rapidly reveal bleeding in the brain. MRI scans can also be used to further examine the damage.
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA):
- Commonly referred to as a “mini-stroke,” a TIA is a brief interruption of blood supply to the brain. While symptoms disappear quickly, they need to be treated by medical professionals as soon as possible. A brain stroke test (such as MRI or CT) is utilised to eliminate other reasons for symptoms and to determine that there was an interruption of blood supply.
How Do You Diagnose a Stroke?
Diagnosis of a stroke is a combination of clinical assessment (neurological examination) and diagnostic testing. When a patient has symptoms of a stroke, the following process is used by medical professionals:
- Initial evaluation: A physical examination and neurological examination to look for stroke signs.
- Imaging tests: CT scans or MRIs, are done to determine if the stroke is ischaemic or hemorrhagic.
- Additional tests: Based on the results, the patient might be subjected to tests such as cerebral angiography, echocardiography, or carotid ultrasound to identify the stroke cause.
The intent of stroke diagnosis is to rapidly establish the type of stroke, the part of the brain involved, and the reason behind it so that a proper treatment plan can be started.
Why Choose Olive Elder Care for Geriatric Counselling?
Time is said to be critical in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke. Knowledge of symptoms and available diagnostic testing is critical for prospective management. For anyone living as a family carer, knowledge of the diagnostic evaluation of stroke and the existence of brain stroke tests will empower them to act swiftly with the correct mode of care for their loved one.
At Olive Elder Care in Mumbai, we believe stroke recovery can be complex, if not daunting, especially in older individuals. This is why we provide geriatric counselling to help families deal with the physical, psychological, and emotional challenges that follow a stroke. Whether it is recovery for a loved one or advice on how to go about long-term care, we are always available as experts with compassionate care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- How do you diagnose a stroke?
A stroke is diagnosed with a combination of physical and neurological examinations and imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs. Physicians also take other tests, such as cerebral angiography or echocardiograms, to find the cause of the stroke.
2- What is the first-line diagnostic for a stroke?
The initial test to diagnose a stroke is normally a CT scan. It is fast, a reliable method for the detection of hemorrhagic strokes, and useful to determine subsequent care.
3- What are the methods of diagnosis?
The methods of diagnosis include:
- Physical and neurological checks to determine the presence of symptoms.
- Imaging examinations such as CT scans and MRIs are used to diagnose the stroke as ischaemic or hemorrhagic.
- Other equipment like echocardiograms or carotid ultrasound to discover causative causes.
4- Can ECG detect brain stroke?
ECG cannot diagnose a brain stroke directly. It can, however, diagnose heart-related causes of a stroke, like arrhythmias that could cause clotting and a stroke.
