The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that a stroke is caused by an interruption to blood flow in the brain, either due to a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Due to the cause of the stroke, patients with ischemic strokes have a better survival rate compared to hemorrhagic stroke. When blood doesn't reach the brain, neither does oxygen, resulting in cell death. The severity of the long-term effects depends on how quickly the patient gets treatment.
Cognitive Deficits
One of the serious long-term effects of a stroke is cognitive deficits. Examples of cognitive deficits from a stroke are memory loss--which can be short-term memory or long-term memory based on the location of the stroke--and difficulties thinking and understanding. As a result, the patient has problems learning new information, recalling details and figuring out problems. The NIH warns that in severe cases, the damage is permanent. In cases with less brain damage, the Mayo Clinic says mental rehabilitation can help reduce symptoms.
Mobility Problems
Another long-term effect of a stroke is mobility problems and damage to the muscles and bone. The Mayo Clinic says the injuries can occur on one side of the body; for example, the patient can have paralysis on the right side of her body but have no mobility problems on her left side. Damage can be localized, such as a loss of control of muscles on one half of the face. The NIH adds that sensation loss can also occur, as well as joint contractures, pressure sores and muscle spasticity. Another possible mobility problem is bone fractures.
Talking, Eating and Swallowing Difficulties
Because muscle control is often compromised after a stroke, the patient can no longer control his throat muscles. As a result, he has problems talking, swallowing or eating, according to the Mayo Clinic. These long-term effects reduce the patient's ability to take care of himself. The NIH says the patient can suffer from malnutrition stemming from difficulties eating, or aspiration, in which he breathes the food into his airway instead of his esophagus. The Mayo Clinic adds that aphasia is a language problem in which the patient has problems finding the right word. This symptom results from damage to the brain, not muscle control.
