Since stroke is an emergency condition, the diagnosis of stroke should be done swiftly and the medical emergency team at the hospital tries to determine what type of stroke is the person having. Imaging tests are carried out soon after arrival at the hospital.
Diagnosis is usually made based on the below parameters:
History and physical examination: After taking a quick medical history, a physician does a quick physical examination to assess a person’s physical and neurological state.
Blood tests: Several blood tests to check parameters like clotting time, blood sugar, infection, etc. are ordered.
Imaging tests:
Computerized tomography (CT) scan is done to visualize the exact place of bleeding in the brain and the possible cause like an ischemic stroke or presence of a tumour or other conditions. To view the blood vessels in the neck and brain in greater detail, a dye may be injected and the procedure is called computerized tomography angiography.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI may be done to identify tissues damaged by an ischemic stroke and brain haemorrhages. To view the arteries and veins distinctly and highlight the blood flow, doctors may need to inject a dye in a procedure known as magnetic resonance angiography or magnetic resonance venography.
Carotid ultrasound: Presence of fatty deposits and blood flow in the carotid arteries which are the main arteries of the brain and neck can be done using this procedure
Echocardiogram: The procedure is done to determine any source of clots in the heart that may have travelled to the brain and leading to a stroke.