17 May, 2023
Fortress Diagnostics are supporting Make May Purple for Stroke.
Stroke is the result of a clot in a blood vessel leading to the brain, suddenly blocking or diminishing the blood supply to part of the brain. When the fresh blood supply containing oxygenated blood is deprived from any part of the body, cells become injured and may die. Whilst some cell injury is reversible, death to brain cells is permanent, and usually leaves a lasting disability 1.
Types of Stroke
There are three main types of stroke:
- Embolic is caused by a circulating piece of a clot when lodges in a blood vessel leading to the brain. The clot is formed elsewhere in the body, usually the heart, and moves freely around the body until it becomes lodged in a small blood vessel 1.
- Haemorrhagic is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel within the brain or between the brain and skull. The rupture may be the result of an aneurysm (caused by atherosclerosis, congenital defect or high blood pressure) or from a head injury. This type of stroke is the most severe and are often fatal 1.
- Thrombotic is the most common type of stroke, caused by atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque inside the artery wall) and blocks the blood flow 1.
Diagnosing Stroke
There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose stroke, however a range of laboratory tests can be requested, including: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) blood glucose, electrolytes, full blood count, lipid profile (causes and consequences of hypertension), prothrombin time (PT) and urea 1.
Fortress Diagnostic Solutions
Fortress offer a variety of diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of stroke:
References
- Lab Tests Online. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/conditions/stroke (accessed 15 May 2023).
