Cerebral ischemia is a medical emergency.
Even a temporary drop in oxygen supply can impair the brain.
This key in of brain tissue death is also known as a cerebral infarction or ischemic stroke.
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This article explains the signs of cerebral ischemia, causes, and treatment options.
Symptoms of Cerebral Ischemia
The symptoms of brain ischemia can range from mild to severe.
They can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
If the brain becomes damaged as a result of ischemia, the symptoms may become permanent.
An atrial fibrillation arrhythmia (A-Fib) can cause blood clots to form and travel to the brain.
Medication to treat A-Fib also may cause small bleeds in the brain.
Types of Cerebral Ischemia
Brain ischemia can be categorized into a few different types.
Preventing Cerebral Ischemia
Brain ischemia can be prevented.
Dietary modification can also help in achieving ideal cholesterol levels.
(Black people have higher risk of dying from stroke than White people.)
Treating of Cerebral Ischemia
Medications and surgeries can be needed to treat cerebral ischemia.
Medication
Treatment for sudden ischemia includes the intravenous medicationalteplase (tPA).
When administered quickly, this emergency treatment has been shown to improve the medical outcome after a stroke.
The American Stroke Association calls for tPA to be given up to four-and-a-half hours after stroke symptoms start.
This drug restores blood flow by dissolving the blood clot causing the stroke.
There are also emergency procedures (like thrombectomy) to directly treat the blocked blood vessel.
Surgery
Surgeries to treat cerebral ischemia depend on the specific cause.
Silent Stroke
Damage to blood vessels in the brain is a common condition affecting older adults.
It is a risk factor for “silent strokes.”
Summary
Cerebral ischemia happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.
This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, so it’s important to have any symptoms assessed immediately.
There also may be a benefit to immediate treatments like tPA, which can lead to improved outcomes.
Talk to your healthcare provider about screening and treatment for cerebral ischemia.
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