A stroke occurs when the brain's supply of blood is cut off, depriving the tissues of oxygen. A stroke is an emergency because brain cells begin to die within minutes of losing their oxygen supply, according to MayoClinic.com. An embolic stroke occurs because of a clot formation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that approximately 137,000 people die of stroke every year.
Causes
An embolic stroke occurs when blood or other debris forms in a blood vessel in another part of the body and travels through the blood stream to lodge in the smaller arteries in the brain. This blood or debris is known as an embolus. It most commonly forms in the heart when the heart's two upper chambers beat irregularly. This can cause pooling of blood in the heart and cause the formation of clots, according to MayoClinic.com.
Symptoms
People suffering from an embolic stroke may experience loss of coordination, dizziness and loss of balance. They may suddenly exhibit slurred speech or have trouble understanding information. They may experience paralysis or weakness on one side. The National Institutes of Health says that people experiencing a stroke may suddenly have blurred vision, double vision or experience blindness in one eye.
Risk Factors
Many factors can increase a person's risk of developing a stroke. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of stroke, as are people who suffer from arterial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. People with a family history of stroke and people who have heart disease and high cholesterol are at an increased risk, too.
Complications
There are many potential complications for stroke sufferers. People who have difficulty swallowing are at greater risk for inhaling food, which can lead to a condition known as aspiration pneumonia. People who have permanent speech problems may have difficulty communicating. Some people suffer from permanent loss of brain function as well as decreased mobility and independence. Other complications include fractures, muscle spasms and malnutrition, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Prognosis
Prognosis depends on how quickly treatment was given as well as the degree of brain function lost. More than 50 percent of people who have suffered a stroke are able to live independently afterward, according to the National Institutes of Health. If physicians are able to dissolve a clot quickly, many patients' symptoms may completely disappear.
