Here is a glossary of words and terms that you and your family members and caregivers might hear during your treatment and recovery.
Aneurysm - a weakened spot in the wall of a blood vessel
Anticoagulant or Antithrombotic - medications that prevent a clot from forming
Atrial fibrillation - An irregular heartbeat that makes it more likely for clots to form inside the heart
Brain stem - the lower portion of the brain
Carotid artery - the artery in the neck and head that carries oxygen to the brain
Carotid ultrasound – a test that looks for blockage in the carotid artery
CAT (also called CT) scan - Computerized Axial Tomography scan. During a CAT scan of the head, the scanner uses radiation to create images of the tissues inside the skull, providing information about swelling, bleeding or the size of a stroke.
Cerebral - having to do with the brain
Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing
Echocardiogram - ultrasound technology that makes images of the heart
Hemiparesis or hemiparetic - usually refers to weakness on one side of the body
Hemiplegia or hemiplegic - inability to move one side of the body
Hemorrhage or hemorrhagic – Generally means bleeding; when speaking about stroke it indicates bleeding in or around the brain
Hypertension - Blood pressure that is higher than normal
Infarct - the area of damage from an ischemic stroke
Ischemia or ischemic – damage due to inadequate blood flow
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images inside the body
Neurologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system
Neurosurgeon – a surgical doctor who performs operations on the brain or nervous system
Physiatrist – a medical doctor who specializes in rehabilitation
Seizure - most often refers to an uncontrollable shaking or convulsing.
Statin medicine - used to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood
TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack - stroke symptoms that last only a short time
tPA or TPA – medications that dissolve blood clots
Additional information
The following websites provide useful information and tools.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
National Stroke Association