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Dr Joseph Galichia
Joseph P. Galichia, MD is the founder and Medical Director of the Galichia Medical Group, PA. He is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of interventional cardiology. In the 70's, Dr. Galichia studied in Zurich, Switzerland with the inventors of the balloon angioplasty technique for treating heart disease. As a result of his experience, he was able to bring this historic technique back to the United States where he was one of the first physicians to perform coronary angioplasty here. A noted medical spokesman, he appears on a weekly Newstalk segment on KWCH Channel 12 and has a weekly syndicated radio talk show on KNSS 1330 AM every Saturday live from 11:00 am to noon. Dr. Galichia may be contacted by sending an e-mail to service@galichia.com
Health & Medicine
2003-10-01 11:35:00
Tell me about strokes and TIA
ANSWER: There are two types of strokes that we commonly see. Most strokes are due to a clot, which forms in a vessel within the brain, interrupting a blood flow to a part of the brain. This results in a loss of neurologic function in that area. This occurs in about 80-85% in all stroke patients. In another 15-20%, the underlying problem is due to bleeding into the brain tissue. This is known as hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when there is a rupture of an aneurysm within the brain or leakage of a blood vessel.  It is important for us to determine immediately which type of stroke we are dealing with because the treatment is entirely different.  In the case of a blocked artery due to a clot formatting, clot busting drugs and blood thinners are initiated immediately. These measures are strongly contra-indicated when a hemorrhagic stroke has occurred.   A mini stroke or TIA is also known as a transient ischemic event.  These terms are synonymous and mean that the patient has suffered a brief period of neurologic dysfunction and has recovered, at least momentarily.  In simple terms, the patient has developed some loss of neurologic function usually for a few minutes, but has recovered with no residual problems.    The types of neurologic changes may include inability to speak properly, loss of feeling or ability to move an arm or leg, inability to think properly, loss of vision, facial weakness, or any neurologic change. If these symptoms persist, the patient develops a completed stroke. It is important for all of us to understand the importance of these symptoms.  Should any of these symptoms occur, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention. Even if the symptoms go away completely, they are often the early warning that a full-blown stroke is about to occur. Many patients are so frightened by these events that they try to put the experience out of their minds and go about their business and hope the symptoms never recur. Unfortunately, they usually do and often simply do not go away again. There are many things we do immediately when a TIA occurs. Immediate evaluation of the carotid arteries in the neck must be undetaken to see if plaque exists that may have broken loose and traveled to the brain. A cat scan is usually performed to see if bleeding may have occurred and to see if a small stroke can be identified. In other words, a full and immediate neurologic evaluation should be performed and blood thinners should be started as well as aspirin to help prevent clot formation. If the patient obtains immediate help and these measures are instituted, most of these patients do not go on to completed stroke.
 
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