If you or someone you love has signs of a stroke, it’s important to get care right away. With a stroke, blood flow to the brain stops and brain cells start to die. The faster a stroke is found and treated, the more likely you are to avoid long-lasting damage or death.
“A key tool in finding strokes is a CT scan (computed tomography scan),” said Savdeep Singh, MD, a neurologist with Banner - University Medicine. A CT scan helps health care providers see what kind of stroke a person is having. That way, they can recommend the right treatment.
What happens during a stroke?
With a stroke, the brain's blood supply gets blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
There are several types of strokes, but the two primary kinds are:
- Ischemic stroke: This happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. It's the most common type of stroke.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks, causing bleeding.
It's important to know the signs of a stroke. The FAST acronym can help you remember them:
- Face drooping: One side of the face might droop or feel numb.
- Arm weakness: One arm might feel weak or drift down.
- Speech difficulty: Speech might be slurred or hard to understand.
- Time to call 911: If you see these signs, call for help right away.
How CT scans help detect strokes
A CT scan is a painless test that uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of the brain. If you come to the hospital with stroke symptoms, a CT scan may be one of the first tests you get.
“It can show changes that are signs of ischemic strokes and the bleeding that can happen with a hemorrhagic stroke,” Dr. Singh said. “It takes just a few minutes to get done and is inexpensive compared to MRI.”
Why early CT scanning is important for stroke treatment
Different types of strokes need different treatments. A CT scan helps doctors quickly see if a stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic, so they can act fast:
- Ischemic stroke: If a clot is blocking blood flow, medicine might break up the clot. “It's critical to get a CT scan right away because if it's an ischemic stroke and your symptoms started within 4.5 hours, you can be treated with this medication,” Dr. Singh said.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: If there's bleeding in the brain, you might need medicine to lower blood pressure or you could need surgery.
"Without a CT scan, doctors don’t know whether to give clot-busting medication. With a hemorrhagic stroke, that medication could make things worse," Dr. Singh said.
Your provider may recommend one of these types of CT scans:
- Non-contrast CT scan: This is the fastest type. It helps show bleeding in the brain. “It’s also referred to as a plain CT scan,” Dr. Singh said.
- CT angiography (CTA): This uses a dye to show blood flow in the brain's arteries and find blockages.
- CT venography: This checks how well blood is leaving the brain.
- CT perfusion scan: “This provides more detailed information on how much brain tissue is still getting blood,” Dr. Singh said.
What to expect if you need a CT scan for a stroke
If you or someone you know has stroke symptoms, getting to the hospital fast is important. Once you get to the emergency room, you can expect:
- Initial assessment: A provider will check your symptoms and medical history.
- CT scan: You'll lie on a table that slides into the CT machine. The scan usually takes just a few minutes.
- Results: Providers will look at the scan to see if you're having a stroke and, if so, what type it is.
- Treatment: Doctors will start the right treatment based on the CT scan results.
Other imaging tests that may be used
Sometimes providers might need other tests like:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This scan creates detailed pictures of the brain. It might be used if the CT scan results aren’t clear. “MRI of the brain is helpful for stroke care, but the downside is that it often is time-consuming,” Dr. Singh said.
- Ultrasound of the carotid arteries: This scan checks for blockages in the main arteries that supply blood to the brain.
Preventing strokes: Knowing your risk factors
Many strokes can be prevented by managing risk factors, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
Regular checkups with your provider can help you manage your risks and lower your chances of having a stroke.
The bottom line
CT scans help providers know what type of stroke you may be having, so they can act quickly to help prevent brain damage. Knowing the signs of a stroke and getting help right away can make a big difference in your outcome and recovery.
If you’re concerned about your risk for stroke, contact your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health. If you think you may be having a stroke, call 911.
