Stroke (apoplexy) is an acute cerebral circulatory disorder and the third most common cause of death in Germany. It is a medical emergency and must be treated as quickly as possible. Many strokes can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and early detection examinations. These examinations are painless and low-risk.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for early stroke detection.
A stroke usually occurs as a result of a blood clot that has traveled to the brain and blocked an artery there. Another cause can be burst blood vessels, which lead to bleeding in the brain and result in a stroke.
The stroke is accompanied by neurological deficits that can take different forms, such as tremors or numbness. Some are only temporary, others are permanent.
A stroke changes life considerably: the majority of disabilities in patients over the age of 50 are due to a stroke.
A good 50% of all strokes could be prevented by simple but consistent preventive measures. For early detection of a stroke, it is important to know the first signs.
High-risk groups in particular should take advantage of the early detection of stroke risks. This preventive service is covered by most statutory health insurance companies.
Early detection of changes in the blood vessels that supply the brain is very important. Doctors also pay particular attention to the elimination of risk factors. These can be identified during a medical stroke consultation(preventive check-up).
The more risk factors there are, the more important a stroke check-up is. The most important risk factors for a stroke include
In many cases, the risk of stroke is increased by a gradual narrowing of the blood vessels. Cerebral ischemia is the name given to reduced blood flow to the brain with the death of nerve cells. These minor circulatory disorders in the brain often go unnoticed.
The increasing narrowing of the blood vessels(arteriosclerosis) can also hardly be recognized by the person affected. If the first warning symptoms are not registered, the vasoconstriction progresses. Early detection is therefore part of active prevention and can save lives.
During stroke screening, the patient's arteries supplying the brain are fully examined. This is done using ultrasound(Doppler sonography), which the attending physician uses to check whether there is a narrowing of the vessels. Doppler sonography is a vascular analysis and a core service provided by neurologists.
The examination method is one of the IGel services, i.e. an optional service. This means that statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs if it is a preventive examination. If it is used to diagnose a suspected stroke, the costs are covered.
Strokes can already be prevented by taking blood-thinning medication. Another option is surgical vasodilatation, which significantly reduces the risk of stroke.
If necessary, a brain waveform can provide indications of possible disturbances in brain function in certain regions.
Doctors can also use magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for further diagnostics. It shows the brain in thin layers, is completely painless and works without X-rays. The examination makes even the smallest changes in brain structures visible.
Doctors have been able to prove that a stroke is preceded by a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a third of all patients. A transient ischemic attack is a temporary circulatory disorder in the brain.
It is also a medical emergency. The person affected should also go to hospital quickly, or even better to a specialist clinic.
The attack is caused by a small blood clot that enters the brain with the blood flow and restricts blood circulation.
The attack lasts about half an hour and shows the same symptoms as a "real" stroke:
The symptoms usually disappear after a day at the latest, so the disease is often misdiagnosed. If the TIA remains untreated, it occurs again and again (recurrence).
As a harbinger of an impending stroke, it must be taken seriously: The risk of stroke is very high in the four weeks following the TIA. Patients with these symptoms should see their doctor immediately. They will arrange for further steps to be taken by a specialist (neurologist).
Strokes are often caused by a narrowing of the carotid artery due to deposits (carotid stenosis). This form of arteriosclerosis mainly occurs in old age after it has developed over many years. It is a major risk for stroke.
The main risk factors for arteriosclerosis are
The diagnosis is made by
If symptoms are present, the examination of the carotid artery is covered by health insurance. As part of the stroke check, the examination of the carotid artery is an IGeL service for which the patient has to pay between €50 and €100.
If the carotid stenosis is very pronounced, an operation is recommended. The neurologists widen the affected vessel or insert a stent.
To prevent arteriosclerosis from progressing, the risk factors must be treated. Patients should be encouraged to exercise more, lose excess weight and eat a healthy diet. Smoking must also be stopped.
If the patient suffers from metabolic disorders, these must be treated. Medication is usually administered for high blood pressure. If the medical recommendations are followed, the prognosis is very good.
Ideally, stroke patients should be treated in a stroke unit. This is a hospital ward specializing in stroke therapy.
Treatment focuses on neurological symptoms. However, doctors now agree that general medical treatment is just as important as the basis of stroke treatment for a good prognosis. This includes
Intensive cooperation with the treating internist is therefore desirable.
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