New Blood Test Could Quickly Detect a Stroke

The newest report from the American Heart Association (AHA) predicts that 61% of adults will have cardiovascular disease by 2050, and strokes are expected to see the biggest overall increase among heart conditions. When stroke symptoms hit, getting the right care as fast as possible is crucial to minimizing severe complications. Researchers have found a new blood test can help healthcare teams quickly identify when a patient is having an aggressive type of stroke and immediately start the right treatment.

Most strokes are considered ischemic strokes, which means blood flow to the brain is reduced or blocked, and the brain isn’t getting the oxygen it needs. An LVO, or large vessel occlusion, is an aggressive subtype of ischemic stroke, and can often be hard to distinguish from a brain bleed. The new blood test looks at two biomarkers, one would indicate a blood clot and the other a brain bleed.

Ruling out a brain bleed quickly means the team can take action and perform surgery to remove the blockage. When using this blood test in combination with other clinical data less than six hours from the onset of symptoms, the study found that LVO strokes were detected very accurately.

It’s important to know the warning signs of a stroke, known by the letters F.A.S.T. -- Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty & Time to call 911. Strokes affect 1 in 5 women, but what many may not know is that the symptoms may look different. Women might experience disorientation or confusion, fatigue, and vomiting or nausea, all of which may be brushed off as something much less serious.

A stroke is always a medical emergency, so if you notice any signs and symptoms, call 911 right away. Minutes count!