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Strokes: What types are there and how are they missed?

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2018 | Injuries |

Strokes are dangerous and all too common.

According to the American Stroke Association, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and each year nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke. What are the types of strokes one can experience, and how do doctors miss them?

Types of strokes

There are three basic types of strokes that present in different manners. They include:

  • Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when something, such as a blood clot, blocks blood flow to an individual’s brain. This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for nearly 80 percent of all victims.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke happens when a blood vessel starts to leak or burst, or from a brain aneurysm.
  • Transient ischemic attack: This is also known as a “mini stroke” is like an ischemic stroke, as a blood clot blocks the blood flow to the brain, but it only occurs for a short period of time. This type of stroke can be a warning of a larger stroke to come.

How do doctors miss the signs of a stroke?

Stroke malpractice, when a medical professional misses the signs of an oncoming stroke or an occurring stroke, is serious. A missed stroke can result in life-altering complications and even death. How does this happen? A recent study shows that, especially in younger women, strokes can present as a headache or dizziness. Instead of running more tests, the medical professional sends the patient home.

Sending someone home instead of treating a stroke can be potentially debilitating and life-threatening to the individual. If you or someone you loved experienced a stroke that should have been diagnosed while under a medical professional’s care, you may be able to sue for stroke malpractice.