Building a Better Stroke Diagnosis: Scientists Identify Biomarkers in Blood Revealing Often-Missed Minor Strokes
A group of researchers have discovered a new set of human blood biomarkers which could someday help emergency clinicians quickly recognize whether someone is experiencing a stroke using a simple blood test.
According to findings that were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the presence of the biomarkers in the blood indicates damage to brain tissues. The study was conducted by a group of scientists from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. However, Grant O’Connell, an assistant professor and director of the Biomarker and Basic Science Laboratory at the nursing school, said a viable test is probably still years away. Others on the research team, all students taught by O’Connell in the nursing PhD program at the School of Nursing, were Megan L. Alder, Christine G. Smothers and Julia H. C. Chang.
Minor strokes, also known as transient ischemic attacks (TIA), occur when part of the brain experiences a temporary lack of blood flow, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours. Unlike major strokes, minor strokes may not necessarily cause permanent disabilities. Since the symptoms of minor strokes and major strokes are identical, one should seek immediate emergency attention when they experience the symptoms.
Advanced Radiological Tests
Knowing the signs of minor stroke are vital as it can help you seek treatment as soon as possible. According to statistics, 1 out of 3 people who experience minor strokes experiences major strokes later in life. The symptoms of a major stroke are apparent to most people and are referred to publicly as FAST – Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurred, and Time to call 911. Unfortunately, most strokes cannot be definitively diagnosed until revealed by advanced radiological tests at a hospital, such as an MRI or CT scan. O’Connell said:
“You would think that a stroke would be really obvious, and that’s true with severe strokes, but most strokes are actually minor (in terms of the initial symptoms). Many people might just think that they’re having a bad migraine, so they don’t go to the hospital.”
The symptoms of a minor stroke can last as briefly as one minute even though by definition, minor strokes last fewer than 24 hours. In most cases, the symptoms are gone by the time one gets to the doctor’s office, meaning the symptoms may not be there while the doctor is evaluating the patient. You have to describe the event after your symptoms have disappeared.
50 New Possible Markers
Even though minor strokes are the most common type of stroke, it can be difficult for health care workers such as paramedics, nurses and physicians to recognize that a stroke is happening in a group of patients who have less obvious symptoms. Because stroke treatment is time-sensitive, this can lead to life-threatening delays in care. The discovery of blood biomarkers associated with stroke could be an avenue to avoid such delays. O’Connell said:
“(Clinicians) don’t have CT scanners or MRI in the back of an ambulance, or even in the emergency rooms of some of the smaller hospitals. Because of this, up to one-third of strokes are missed at the initial contact with a clinician, which delays treatment that could prevent death or disability; if we had a blood test to tell us right away if someone is having a stroke that could make a huge difference in patient care.”
The research revealed up to 50 new possible markers, several of which were subsequently measured and successfully detected in the blood of a cohort of patients with stroke. O’Connell added:
“This could open up the door to a whole new wave of biomarker research […] and that could lead to clinically useful tests (if we can) validate the findings”.
Hypertension is a major risk factor when it comes to stroke. High blood pressure can damage the inner walls of the arteries leading to atherosclerosis. The plaque buildup can rupture and lead to blood clots in the artery, with the abnormalities often leading to minor strokes or strokes.
Telemonitoring
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you need to keep track of your blood pressure regularly. You want to invest in home blood pressure monitor to help you check blood pressure through telemonitoring. Sometimes people have what’s called white coat syndrome. This means that your blood pressure can be higher than usual in your doctor’s office due to anxiety about having your blood pressure checked. Keeping track of your blood pressure at home can give your doctor a more accurate assessment of your typical blood pressure.