What is a Stroke?

A stroke is an attack on the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel (also called an artery) ruptures while bringing oxygen and blood to the brain. When this occurs, the brain cells begin to die due to lack of oxygen. There are various types of stroke, including:

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Considered a mini-stroke, this type of stroke precedes about 15% of all strokes. A TIA happens when an artery is blocked by a blood clot for a short period of time, and the blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped or slowed down. Symptoms, while not permanent, may include numbness, difficulty speaking and loss of coordination.

Ischemic Stroke

This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot is blocking an artery, limiting the flow of oxygen, which is not reaching brain cells. Without oxygen reaching the brain, cells will begin to die. This type of stroke is the most common and accounts for a majority of stroke cases. Types of ischemic stroke include:

• Embolic ischemic stroke – a blood clot or plaque moves through the bloodstream and reaches the brain.
• Thrombotic ischemic stroke – a blood clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
• System hypoperfusion – the heart stops pumping and not enough blood reaches the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This is a more serious type of stroke, where the fatality rate is higher and prognosis is poorer. This happens with a blood vessel bursts and blood spills into the brain. A brain aneurysm or a weakened blood vessel leak usually occurs in this type of stroke. Different types of hemorrhagic stoke include:

• Intracerebral hemorrhage – a blood vessel bursts and bleeds deep into brain tissue.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage – a blood vessel bursts near the surface of the brain and blood pours into the area between the brain and skull.

Patient story: LaMonta B.

LaMonta B., a 17-year-old student at Chandler Academy in Detroit, was enjoying lunch when he suddenly began to drool and feel severe pain in the right side of his head. He was experiencing a stroke. Dr. Holly Gilmer was able to successfully stop the bleeding without having to disturb other parts of his brain. Watch LaMonta’s video, as well as videos of other patients treated by our doctors here.

What is an Aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of a blood vessel within the brain. The weakness allows the vessel to form an abnormal bulge that can rupture or burst like a water-filled balloon. A ruptured aneurysm that bleeds into the space around the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There are also aneurysms that never rupture. Aneurysms can be different sizes and differ in shape.

Patient story: Heather A. 

Heather, a local nurse, experienced extreme fatigue in the form of muscular weakness, due to a brain aneurysm. She was successfully treated by Dr. Richard Fessler, who performed a minimally-invasive neuroendovascular "coiling" procedure that closed access of blood from the aneurysm. Watch her video, as well as other patients who have found success at MHSI here.

What is an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)?

An Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) is an abnormal connection between blood vessels. It happens when arteries connect directly to veins without first sending blood through tiny capillaries. An AVM can look like a tangle of blood vessels. They form anywhere in your body, but most often they form in or around the brain and along the spinal cord.

Patient story: Duane

Musician Duane, after experiencing what he called a “really bad headache,” was diagnosed with a brain bleed (an arteriovenous malformation or AVM) and had to undergo immediate surgery to save his life. He was successfully treated by Dr. Richard Fessler and Dr. Fernando Diaz of MHSI and underwent several surgeries, including Gamma Knife. Duane’s guitar-playing abilities have been restored, along with normal functioning, including his eyesight. Watch Duane’s video here.