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Monday, 03 August 2009 10:37 |
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Once the person who's had a stroke arrives at hospital, doctors can usually diagnose it from a physical examination. They can usually tell from thee pattern of disabilities where the stroke is and how extensive it is.
However, it's often helpful to get an account of what happened from witnesses or even from the person themselves if they're able to communicate.
To get more precise information about where the stroke is located, what type it is (whether ischaemic or haemorrhagic) and how extensive the stroke is, doctors will do a brain scan. This information is important in detecting what type of stroke it is, and making a decision about treatment.
There are two mains types of scan; Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
They may do other tests such as an ultrasound of the carotid arteries to check for blockages; or an Electrocardiogram (ECG) or Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to look for atrial fibrillation or other signs of heart disease. They may do blood tests for cholesterol and diabetes and take blood pressure measurements.
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Stroke Overview 
