Contents:
Medical Video: How to Prevent a Million Heart Attacks and Strokes
After you suffer a stroke, it is important for your doctor to determine the cause of a stroke. Many causes of stroke can be identified through medical diagnostic tests and then controlled to minimize other risk factors. Mild stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often a warning sign that there are serious health problems but are hidden and need to be treated immediately.
However, there are a number of strokes that remain unexplained or cryptogenic, even after a diagnostic examination. Kiriptogenic stroke indicates that the cause of a stroke has never been found. The problem with cryptogenic stroke is that if the cause is not found it will be difficult to prevent another stroke.
The past and future of cryptogenic stroke
Having a stroke is undoubtedly quite stressful. If you are one of the 20-30% stroke sufferers who are not identified, the fact that you do not have an answer can definitely add to stress. In addition, doctors cannot more effectively prevent further strokes if the cause has not been found.
Stroke sufferers who continue to experience other strokes will often end up worse and experience disorders or problems that can change their lives such as dementia and severe disability. That is the reason why cryptogenic strokes are very troubling. However, the future of cryptogenic stroke looks promising, with advances in scientific research and new equipment that can help reveal the mysteries of cryptogenic stroke.
A new type of heart monitor tool
Recently, at the American Stroke Association at the 2015 International Stroke Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, the results of research on a new tool that can detect the causes of several cryptogenic strokes have been announced. This implant device is called the Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) and able to detect an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation in some patients who have been diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke. This discovery is very important because atrial fibrillation is a medical condition that can be effectively treated to prevent a recurrence of a stroke. Usually, an ECG (Electrocardiogram), a test tool that detects heartbeat, is used to identify atrial fibrillation. However, because the implant is in the patient's body for a long time, it can detect atrial fibrillation that is not detected during a brief ECG examination.
New research presented at the International Stroke Conference was held by the American Stroke Association in February 2015, evaluating 1247 cryptogenic stroke patients for an average of 182 days. Atrial fibrillation was detected in 147 patients who did not know the cause of the stroke. The Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor made by a leading medical technology company called Medtronic, and has been approved by the FDA.
Get answers to stroke related questions
When you suffer a stroke, you have many questions, such as, "Will my condition improve later?" And, "Will I have a further stroke?" And, "What medicines should I use?". One of the important questions you have is, "Why did this happen to me?" Fortunately, stroke research continues rapidly, now there are many answers to your questions than before. The solution to the mystery of cryptogenic strokes is constantly evolving because technology, medicine, and science work together to prevent strokes and improve the lives of stroke sufferers. Having a stroke doesn't mean you have bad luck. With the right tools and treatment, you can live longer with a healthy, active, and happy lifestyle.
