Stroke Specialist

Premier Cardiac and Vascular

Cardiologists located in Annandale, VA & Fredericksburg, VA

Every year, nearly 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke, and it’s the leading cause of serious long-term disability. At Premier Cardiac and Vascular in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Anita Banerjee, MD, FACC and Ashok Talreja, MD, FACC, FHRS, focuses on prevention and helps you lessen your risk factors for suffering a stroke. For a consultation with the team, call the office today or book an appointment online.

Stroke Q & A

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to your brain is cut off, depriving the cells of nutrients and oxygen resulting in brain cell death. When the brain cells in that area die, it may affect the systems attached to those cells, such as memory or motor function.

The severity of your stroke may depend on the area of the brain affected.

What causes a stroke?

Strokes may occur from plaque buildup in the heart or a blockage in the circulation. The type of stroke usually indicates the underlying cause and includes:

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures.

Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood vessels in your brain become narrowed or blocked. This is the most common cause of a stroke.

Transient ischemic stroke (TIA)

Sometimes referred to as a ministroke, a TIA occurs when there is a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke usually occurs when a blood clot or debris temporarily blocks the flow of blood.

You may be at risk of having a stroke if you have a history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Signs and symptoms of a stroke can vary. Common symptoms include:

Difficulty speaking or finding words
Paralysis
Numbness
Headache
Difficulty walking

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Delaying treatment may affect long-term outcomes.

How can a stroke be prevented?

The team takes a preventive approach to heart health and focuses her treatment on preventing complications like a stroke. Instead of first turning to medication, she most often starts with lifestyle changes, such as:

A healthy diet
Regular exercise
Stress management
Stopping smoking

The team may also perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat that can develop from heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Atrial fibrillation can be tough to detect and she employs an array of holter monitors, event recorders, and implantable loop recorders to diagnose atrial fibrillation and prevent stroke.

When needed, the team also provides disease-specific medication, such as medication to control hypertension or lower cholesterol, to reduce your risk of having a stroke.

For expert cardiac care focused on preventing conditions like a stroke, call Premier Cardiac and Vascular today or request an appointment online.

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