Jose Poulose

Dr Jose Poulose MINEOLA
CARDIOLIGISTThe physician also looks for enlarged (distended) veins in
the neck and for swelling (edema) in the legs (particularly the ankles and feet)
and/or the abdomen; checks the blood pressure in both arms (rare conditions
produce different blood pressures in each arm); and may also look at the back of
the eyes with an ophthalmoscope, to examine the small blood vessels there for
signs of damage (e.g., from chronic high blood pressure).

Obtaining a
medical history requires the doctor or nurse to ask the patient for information.
The doctor usually asks if there is a history of heart problems (such as heart
attack) or chest pains (which might suggest coronary artery disease); if the
patient has suddenly developed a sensation of shortness of breath and chest
pains (which can suggest that a blood clot has broken off from a blood vessel in
the legs and traveled to the lungs); if the patient is losing weight or feels
hot all the time (symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland); and if the patient
regularly consume alcohol.

Dr Jose Poulose
The primary risk factor for ischemic stroke is age (over age 65). High
blood pressure (hypertension) and heart disease are also major risk factors.
Maintaining healthy blood pressure through diet, exercise, and medication, if
necessary, can decrease the risk for stroke.

Atrial fibrillation occurs
when muscles in the atria contract too quickly, resulting in an irregular
heartbeat (arrhythmia). Arrhythmia alters blood flow and may cause blood clots
to form in the heart. These clots can travel through blood vessels to the brain,
causing stroke. Atrial fibrillation causes an almost five-fold increase in the
risk for stroke.

Other risk factors include the following:

Alcohol abuse

Brain tumor

Cardiac conditions (e.g.,
myocardial infarction [heart attack], mitral regurgitation)

Coagulopathy
(blood clotting disorder)

Diabetes

Drug abuse (may cause
decreased blood flow)

Fibromuscular dysplasia (causes stenosis and
hypertension)

Family or personal history of stroke

High blood
pressure (hypertension)

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

Infection (e.g., meningitis, endocarditis)

Narrowing of arteries
(arterial stenosis)

Plaque build-up in arteries (atherosclerosis)

Secondary hemorrhage following an ischemic stroke

Sickle cell
disease

Smoking

Sudden rise in blood pressure

Surgical
incision of an artery (treatment for atherosclerosis)

Jose Poulose

Dr Jose Poulose MINEOLA CARDIOLIGIST: Side effects include
abdominal pain, rash, diarrhea, and headache. Serious side effects (e.g.,
gastrointestinal hemorrhage) are rare. Physicians and dentists should be
informed that a patient is taking clopidogrel before any surgery is scheduled.

Anticonvulsants such as diazepam (Valium®) and lorazepam (Ativan®) may
be prescribed for patients who experience recurrent seizures after a stroke.
Side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, and weakness.
Dr Jose
Poulose Cardiologist
Dr Jose
Poulose