Vision Changes and Stroke Warnings
Everyone is concerned regarding the tragic news that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has suffered a major stroke. The term 'stroke' simply means 'shutdown' due to lack of oxygen, whether due to a clogged blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or due to bleeding within the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). In both situations there is inadequate fresh oxygen reaching the brain. Loss of function (speech, motor skills, cognition, etc.) corresponds to the specific area of the brain damaged.
Patients often experience visual symptoms before stroke occurs. These visual symptoms can be a warning that could save a life.
A little anatomy would be helpful here. Each eye relies on a single artery for oxygen and nutrients, the Ophthalmic Artery. This vessel happens to be the final branch of the critical Internal Carotid Artery - think of it like the last stretch of a very long highway, the end of the road. Anything that affects blood flow to the Ophthalmic Artery automatically affects the vision. For example, small bits of cholesterol (called plaques) can enter the circulation and eventually end up trapped inside the narrow Ophthalmic Artery because it is the end of the line.
These small vascular occlusions often precede more significant vascular blockages. Bigger plaques don't make it to the Ophthalmic Artery. They block larger branches of the internal carotid that serve the brain. By then it may be too late.
Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol levels.
Adults who notice any sudden change to their vision should seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait for things to clear on their own. Time is critical; not merely to treat the vision problem, but also to identify and treat any possible stroke-causing medical emergency.
Related Topics: Act Fast To Stop Stroke's Brain Damage, Simple Changes to Lower Your Stroke Risk
Patients often experience visual symptoms before stroke occurs. These visual symptoms can be a warning that could save a life.
A little anatomy would be helpful here. Each eye relies on a single artery for oxygen and nutrients, the Ophthalmic Artery. This vessel happens to be the final branch of the critical Internal Carotid Artery - think of it like the last stretch of a very long highway, the end of the road. Anything that affects blood flow to the Ophthalmic Artery automatically affects the vision. For example, small bits of cholesterol (called plaques) can enter the circulation and eventually end up trapped inside the narrow Ophthalmic Artery because it is the end of the line.
These small vascular occlusions often precede more significant vascular blockages. Bigger plaques don't make it to the Ophthalmic Artery. They block larger branches of the internal carotid that serve the brain. By then it may be too late.
Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol levels.
Adults who notice any sudden change to their vision should seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait for things to clear on their own. Time is critical; not merely to treat the vision problem, but also to identify and treat any possible stroke-causing medical emergency.
Related Topics: Act Fast To Stop Stroke's Brain Damage, Simple Changes to Lower Your Stroke Risk
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20 Comments:
my daughter suffered a stroke. while on OCP's. She had no risk factors other than her headaches (? from the data I've seen), which became migraines with the visual aura. Was seen by a neuro and she spoke to her OB-GYN. Don't you think the patient package insert should have warned her other than saying call a healthcare professional. A lot of good the call made.
I've had about 4 TIA's, and often also have "migraine with aura" minus the pain. Sometimes it's hard to tell which it's going to be when the visual stuff begins.
If I were to run to the ER every time I get a painless migraine, the visual part would be almost gone by the time I got there, and I believe that after a while, they'd be pretty sick of seeing me ... and may even begin to think I like crying "wolf."
Is there a way to differentiate early on from the visual warnings if it's just another migraine with aura, or something more?
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I get the vision changes sometimes. Migraines have been in my family for generations. I was tested for PFO but did not have it. YEAH! I do worry though about how I am going to be in the future. I'm 32 and just started having these migraines last spring.
I suffer from congestive heart failure and have had a slight stroke before. Sometimes my vision gets really wierd and everything seems extremely bright. It passes after a few minutes but it's starting to worry me a little. Any ideas??
Eating too much avocado triggered the aura of migraine. Then, about one half hour after eating, the entire right side of my body from the top of my head to my toes went numb and tingly. I had difficulty walking, but called my doctor who said go to the er.
They did a ct scan, blood work, and had me use my right hand to
push against the nurse's right hand. I had strength in the arm but it was tingly.
They sent me home with the diagnosis of migraine. After a few hours I was back to normal. I have since read that blood tests should be taken over the course of eighteen hours.
The insurance company would not pay the 80 percent of the cost they should have paid, but only 60 per cent because the er coded my visit as for a headache and blue cross did not think I should have used the emergency room for a headache. It took 6 months to get this straightened out so blue cross would pay the proper amount. I told them in a letter which, after 6 months someone finally read, that next time I go numb and tingly on one side of my body, I will return to the er since I am not a doctor and would not know the difference between a stroke, a tia and a migraine. If this happens to you be sure to discuss the coding with someone in charge at the er so your insurance company will pay what they should. There was no headache pain at all which made me think stroke, not headache.
I am currently on coumadin after experiencing 5 DVTs in a period of several years (last being Feb 2005). Recently I have had slight difficulty with balance, slurred speach, left arm numb and tingly, left ear feeling like there is water in it, left eye blurring, pain in my left side (under the shoulder) and a soft lumb has appeared on the left side of my neck. My recent cholesterol reading was 262 with tri.158, LDL 190, HDL 42.6 I went to our local clinic and was told to make an appointment (25 Jan is the earliest). Soooo much for taking precausions! I am a military retiree(DAV 60%)in Germany and must rely on the Army for medical assistance.
About 8 years ago my Dad had a stroke, he spent an overnight in the ER 2 days prior, with increased BP, and dizziness, with a history of increased cholesterol. After several hours in the ER, was sent home with the dx of inner ear problem, BP still high, with no history of high BP, then had a stroke 2 days later. Now he is no longer able to work, and a totally different personality.
I have had migraine headaches with aura's since I was 12. I am now 41 and on April 6th this year I got an aura that was weird and wouldn't go away so thank goodness I went to the ER. I had a TIA. Through testing they found out I also have PFO. I was in the hospital for 5 days while they did extensive testing. I'm now on coumadin and verapamil until I have the device closure for the PFO in July. Since then I have had about 3 visual disturbances without the usual pain. It is very scary because you never know when to panic. All I know is it is very scary to have a stroke at 41. Plus I do not like being on coumadin..it's so life restraining.
i had a simple fall aunt insisted i go to er kept me 16 hours cast my led and sent me home 4 hours later had a major stroke now unable to walk or use left arm and handhad been having headaches and balance problems was told there was nothing wrong even though i had a history of cardiac problems
I had a pfo closure a little over a year ago, I have had the bubble test to make sure it was in correctly, I work in medical records and know a lot of medical lingo but still I am worried about the pain I feel when bending or pulling records and it seems to be the pfo closure, feels like its tearing. I also have recently been back in the hospital and each time, er then inhouse my veins collapse and turn hard after blowing out. I have two places in each hand that seem to be where the veins are trying to ? fix themselves and are swollen, my hands worry me a bit, looks like the smaller capillary veins on the wrist side have had to begin compensating for the other veins on the top of my hands not working. It looks horrible and I feel like a man/hand thing is going on. Should I be concerned? I also get dizzy a lot and after the surgery have gained a lot of weight. Is this normal? Is there someone out there that can help me answer these questions. And when My Heart threw that blood clot last year and it killed 80% of my spleen they opted not to take out my spleen is that correct and what are my odds of having another clot with the pfo closure in place? Is it possible that these knots in both hands are clots from the collapsed veins? They are very painful. I haven't been back to the hospital since last er vist a few weeks ago when lost vision in my right eye, they said it was due to migraine, when I had no head pain. But I have had 3 migraines this past ween and lost vision each time, should I be concerned of a pending stroke. I am 45, but also had 3 doctors tell me when my heart originally threw that blod clot that killed my spleen, I was extremely lucky and did I understand how lucky. What did they mean. My blood pressure was 50-30 when I got to the hospital then, and they did call my family in at one point, only to survive and now here I am. Should I seek medical attention or just wait to see if things clear up on their own? I am one of those people that procrastonate obviously. But worry and do nothing. Just wondering. can someone write me back? hendrg@yahoo.com is that ok to leave on here. Please advise. gh
I have a friend who has had a several symptoms that would lead one to think a possible stroke. However dx is possible migraine. I would like to hear from anyone whose has more information on what could possibly be going on. Here is the list of syptoms.
1.Able to see words but not speak them for a period of 5 min.
2.When able to finally speak word sounded like a foriegn language.
3.Tunnel vision.
4.Lack of cordination.
5.Mri has a questionable bleeding spot.
6.hx of stoke
7.patient is also under going treatment for hepc so has low wbc.
Please email me with any ideas
Krst_hghs@yahoo.com
I have recently had what my doctor believes to be a cluster of migraines. I am 36 and have never had them before now. Symptoms started with extreme dizziness and blurred vision. They did bloodwork and sent me to a eye specialist to see if there was signs of stroke, MS or brain tumor (by looking at my optic nerves). A week later, I was in the ER with dizziness and numbness on my left side. Diagnosis was varient migrane, but luckily the ER doctor demanded an MRI and visit to a Neurologist. The MRI came back clean - so now they've ordered an Echo to rule out a PFO. What ever this condition is or was - it was extremely scary as I was thinking it was signs of a stroke.
Migraine with aura minus the pain:
I also get "spells" of wavy lines and colorful, flashing lights and some symptons (sensitivity to light, dizzy, excessive yawning, etc) but also have tinnitus; which,
when looked up, has many of the same symptons! Also, I got the vision problems 2 different times
after being x-rayed at the dentist!
I feel these things are inter-related, and like one of the studies said," they are quirks that occur together in the brain."
visual disturbance in both eyes are circles like octaagons (refracted light best describes them) 3 times were in shape of a c and last time started as small circle which became quite large and lasted 20 minutes. how do I find out what they might be. happened over almost 24 mos. paints2009@yahoo.com thanks.
My Father recently started walking with a decided 'leaning to the left side".What could cause this
I had my first stroke at age 34...unfortunately, you are never too young to get one. My confusion is now understanding when I am having a stroke vs. having a migraine. Like others, I don't want to be a 'cry wolf' victim. Any thoughts?
My husband was recently diagnosed with a stroke to the optic nerve, affecting both eyes. We are waiting to return to neuro-opthamologist for another opinion. My husband seems to be getting more upset/depressed by the idea of not regaining his sight - any ideas to help me in helping him??
my mother woke up friday morning and was blind in her left eye she went to dr. he told her she had a stroke in her eye and that she was totally blind in that eye and only a small percent of people regain their sight is this a sign of another stroke is coming
Last night my boyfriend said that he was experience loss of vision in his left eye- he described it as looking through a childs keliedescope.....he said periphel vision was not existant and that he had a terrible headache that was so bad he felt nauseated.....He was previous on a medication for high b/p but, then the Dr switched him to a beat/blocker......However, he is going to start allergy shots and they told him that he could not be on the beta's anymore b/c their is a high risk of death from the beta and allergy shot combination.....Dr put him back on high b/p medication only and know this is happening.....also I might mention he was experiencing the same dizziness and loss of vision prior to being put on the beta blocker....Once he was on it for a while those syptoms went away.....Any suggestions from anyone what this might be???
My mother gets ocular migraines with light distortion etc. These started about 4 years ago and come in spurts. She also suffers frequent spells in which she doesn't know the day or year. Yesterday she had an occular migraine and called me scared because she could not read. She called her Dr.but is afraid he is frustrated w/ her symptoms and unavailable to help.
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