Diagnosis

There are many different tests that can point to how likely you are to have a stroke:

Blood tests These can't diagnose whether someone has had a stroke, but they can provide important information, such as how quickly blood clots, cholesterol levels, or whether someone has diabetes -- all of which increase the chances of having a stroke.

Ultrasound This uses ultrasound waves to show whether blood vessels are blocked or abnormal.

Angiogram A doctor inserts a catheter into a blood vessel and injects an X-ray dye. The X-rays will then reveal whether there is abnormal blood flow in the vessel.

Electrocardiogram (EKG) This gives a snapshot of the heart’s electrical activity, measuring its regularity. Some heart irregularities can lead to the creation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain.

Echocardiogram Ultrasound waves are captured on videotape to give a view of how the heart muscles are functioning and the blood is flowing through the heart.

CT scan X-rays are used to produce a 3-D image of the head, showing blood vessels, bones, brains and soft tissue.

MRI scan This uses magnetic fields to briefly alter water molecules in the brain. It results in a more detailed 3-D image of the head. Can catch abnormalities that are too small or in a location the CT can't see.

Treatment

Ischemic strokes can be treated by removing the blockage and restoring blood flow. Hemorrhagic strokes can require surgery to remove any blood that has pooled in the brain and prevent any further bleeding.

Clot-busting medications Drugs such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) can dissolve the blood clot, or thrombus, in the blood vessel. The drug can't be given to people who have had a hemorrhagic stroke because it will increase bleeding, so patients need a CT scan beforehand. The medication has to be given within three hours of when the stroke symptoms started.

Endovascular procedures (coils) A catheter is fed through a major artery in the leg or arm to the aneurysm, where platinum coils are inserted into the aneurysm, preventing further rupture.

Preventative treatments include:

• Angioplasty
  Following an angiogram that shows where the blood flow problems might be, a tiny balloon is expanded and contracted to push open a narrow blood vessel. Surgeons can insert a stent (mesh tubing) to keep the artery open.
• Carotid Endarterectomy
  A surgical technique to remove the plaque clogging a blood vessel
• Aneurysm clipping
  If an aneurysm is discovered before it ruptures, surgeons can clip the neck of the bulge and prevent any further blood from flowing inside. The clips are left in place.