Brain imaging

Strokes are usually diagnosed by studying images of the brain (brain imaging). This can also be helpful in determining the risk of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Even if the physical symptoms of a stroke are obvious, brain imaging should be carried out in order to determine whether an ischaemic stroke, or a haemorrhagic stroke, has occurred.

This is important because different treatment is required for each condition, and treating a haemorrhagic stroke with the methods used for an ischaemic stroke, will make the condition worse.

CT and MRI scans

Two common methods that are used for brain imaging are a computer topography (CT) scan and a magnetic resonance (MRI) scan.

A CT scan is like an X-ray, but it uses multiple scans, or images, to build up a more detailed, three-dimensional (3-D) picture of your brain. An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce a detailed picture of the inside of your body.

Other tests

A number of other tests will also be carried out to try and identify the cause of the stroke. These include:

• a blood pressure test,
• blood tests to measure factors such as your cholesterol level or, if you are diabetic, your glucose level, and
• an echocardiogram, which is an image of your heart that is produced using sound waves.