Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident): Tests
A stroke occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can cause a stroke if it damages brain cells.
Part of: Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)
How a Stroke Is Diagnosed
Your doctor will diagnose a stroke based on your signs and symptoms, your medical history, a physical exam, and test results.
Your doctor will want to find out the type of stroke you’ve had, its cause, the part of the brain that’s affected, and whether you have bleeding in the brain.
If your doctor thinks you’ve had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), he or she will look for its cause to help prevent a future stroke.
Medical History and Physical Exam
Your doctor will ask you or a family member about your risk factors for stroke. Examples of risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, heart disease, and a personal or family history of stroke. Your doctor also will ask about your signs and symptoms and when they began.
During the physical exam, your doctor will check your mental alertness and your coordination and balance. He or she will check for numbness or weakness in your face, arms,… Read more about Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident): Tests