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Transient ischemic attack; TIA
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Mortality rates are declining, however. Over 75% of patients survive a first stroke during the first year, and over half survive beyond 5 years.
People who suffer ischemic strokes have a much better chance for survival than those who experience hemorrhagic strokes. Among the ischemic stroke categories, the greatest dangers are posed by embolic strokes, followed by thrombotic and lacunar strokes. Hemorrhagic stroke not only destroys brain cells but also poses other complications, including increased pressure on the brain or spasms in the blood vessels, both of which can be very dangerous. Studies suggest, however, that survivors of hemorrhagic stroke have a greater chance for recovering function than those who suffer ischemic stroke.
Many patients are left with physical weakness and often have accompanying pain and spasticity. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and how much of the body is involved, these impairments can affect the ability to walk, to rise from a chair, to feed oneself, to write or use a computer, to drive, and many other activities.
Many stroke survivors recover functional independence after a stroke, but 25% are left with a minor disability and 40% experience moderate-to-severe disabilities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s stroke scale helps predict the severity and outcome of a stroke by scoring 11 factors (levels of consciousness, gaze, visual fields, facial movement, motor functions in the arm and leg, coordination, sensory loss, problems with language, inability to articulate, and attention).
Those patients with ischemic strokes who score less than 10 have a favorable outlook after a year, while only 4 - 16% of patients do well if their score is more than 20.
The risk for recurring stroke is highest within the first few weeks and months of the previous stroke. But about 25% of people who have a first stroke will go on to have another stroke within 5 years. Risk factors for recurrence include:
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