Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off or reduced, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain tissue. As a result, brain cells begin to die in minutes. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is critical. Taking early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.

While a stroke may be a cerebral medical issue, the cause often stems from the heart. Cardiologists, including Dr. Weinstein and the staff at Cardiology Associates of South Florida, are well-versed in treating the causes and complications of a stroke. Often, the reason is the same plaque buildup and high cholesterol that causes coronary artery disease and heart attacks. However, it occurs closer to the brain instead of a fat clot in a major heart artery.

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain leak or rupture. Many diseases that affect blood vessels can cause cerebral hemorrhage. Still, the leading cause of hemorrhagic stroke is damage to the small arteries in the brain, usually related to high blood pressure (hypertension). This process is called small vessel disease, which makes the small arteries in the brain more likely to bleed. Weakened blood vessels can rupture and spill blood into the brain, causing a hemorrhagic stroke.