Stroke Specialist

 A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when there’s a block in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain, resulting in brain damage. Board-certified cardiovascular disease physician Sanjay Srivatsa, MD, and the team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center in Fresno and Madera, California, specialize in preventing strokes and providing care for patients following a stroke. To find out more about strokes, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there’s a block in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Without oxygen, the brain cells die, leading to permanent brain damage.

There are two types of strokes: 

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when you have sudden bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel.

Ischemic stroke 

An ischemic stroke occurs when there’s a blood clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain.

When there’s a temporary blockage in blood flow to the brain, you have a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA may not cause brain damage but is a risk factor for a stroke.

Who is at risk of having a stroke?

Certain medical conditions increase your risk of having a stroke. You may be at risk if you have:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hyperlipidemia
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Diabetes
• A brain aneurysm

Smoking also puts you at risk of having a stroke. 

If you’re at risk of a stroke, the team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center can help. They can create a treatment plan that benefits your overall health and well-being, reducing your risk of health complications like a stroke.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

In most cases, stroke symptoms occur suddenly and unexpectedly. The symptoms you have may depend on the area of the brain affected. 

Stroke symptoms may include:

• Sudden and severe head pain
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• Difficulty seeing
• Dizziness or weakness
• Loss of consciousness

If you think you or someone you love is having a stroke, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). Early care may prevent debilitating brain damage.

What happens after a stroke?

Recovering from a stroke depends on the severity of the brain damage. The expert team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center can help you manage life following a stroke. They monitor your recovery and make sure you get the right treatments and therapy.

To find out more about stroke care, call Heart, Artery, and Vein Center or book an appointment online today.