Learn all about ischemia

Ischemia, or ischemic stroke, is a dangerous occurrence that happens when an obstruction in an artery blocks the flow of blood that should irrigate an area of ​​the brain. As a result, cells in the affected area die, causing several sequelae or even death.

After an ischemia, the person may suffer several complications, such as behavioral and cognitive changes, speech difficulties, difficulty eating, constipation, vascular epilepsy, depression and other implications resulting from immobility and muscle involvement.

One of the determining factors for the types of consequences is the time elapsed between the onset of ischemia and receiving the necessary treatment. Damage is considerably greater when care is delayed.

Some of the risk factors that contribute to its onset are: high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, migraine, the use of hormonal contraceptives, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

Because these factors can be prevented or treated, 80% of ischemia could be prevented.

Daily habits for the prevention of ischemia

• Take care of your cardiovascular health, control your blood pressure, keep your cholesterol and glucose levels at good levels;
• Do not smoke;
• Keep an active routine, exercise regularly;
• Eat healthy, avoid excess fat, alcohol, sugar and salt.

How to identify a possible ischemia: the symptoms

• Limb weakness: The sudden lack of limb strength, which can range from very mild weakness to complete paralysis. Numbness, tingling or a sensation of slight needle sticks may also be present;
• Facial asymmetry: unilateral facial paralysis that preserves the upper half of the face. There is a deviation of the mouth in the opposite direction to the paralyzed side;
• Speech disorders: aphasia and dysarthria.

Aphasia occurs when the patient is unable to name objects and things, repeat a spoken word or, in some more severe cases, write and understand meanings, losing the ability of language globally.




In dysarthria the patient loses the motor ability to move the speech muscles in order to correctly articulate the words, sometimes making the communication incomprehensible;

• Mental confusion: losing track of time and space or even reaching a level of dementia;
• Gait changes: difficulty walking or standing without support due to imbalances, loss of strength or changes in motor coordination;
• Seizure crisis: widespread motor shakes associated with loss of consciousness.

In case of suspected ischemia, due to the presence of some of the symptoms, the person should be taken immediately to a hospital. Your doctor will order a CT or MRI to accurately assess the size, cause, location, and severity of the possible injury.

Ischemia Types

• Thrombotic: clogging by a clot formed in an artery that irrigates the brain due to atherosclerosis;
• By embolism: a clot formed in another part of the body and carried to an artery of the brain by blood circulation;
• Circulatory Failure: Heart failure that stops pumping enough blood to the brain.

There are drugs that can prevent death or sequelae in those who are victims of an ischemia. These break down the clots and promptly reestablish circulation, but to be effective, they must be ingested no later than three hours after the onset of the attack.

Treatment after an ischemia

In order for the patient to be able to regain his abilities and improve his quality of life, he must be analyzed and treated by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, such as physiotherapists, doctors and psychologists. Rehabilitation should begin at the hospital and extend as needed for your case history.

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