The difference between stroke and cerebral infarction

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on March 20, 2025
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Stroke includes ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke refers to cerebral infarction, while hemorrhagic stroke refers to cerebral hemorrhage. Symptoms such as limb weakness, slurred speech, or other neurological deficits should initially suggest the possibility of a stroke. Whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke may be related to the symptoms, but a CT scan is essential. If a CT scan rules out cerebral hemorrhage, then cerebral infarction is more likely. The treatment varies with time; within 4.5 hours, if the conditions for thrombolytic therapy are met and there are no contraindications, and the relatives have signed an informed consent, thrombolytic treatment can be administered. If this time window is exceeded, this opportunity is lost, so it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately upon symptom onset.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Post-stroke depression

Recent studies have confirmed that in addition to language dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and motor dysfunction, stroke patients also exhibit many signs of depression. According to guidelines published in China in 2016, about 33% of stroke patients experience post-stroke depression, which is a very high proportion. The main symptoms of post-stroke depression include a lack of interest in anything, unwillingness to communicate with others, being quiet and reticent, non-compliance with medication, and non-cooperation with rehabilitation training. Post-stroke depression significantly affects the recovery of patients and their future quality of life. Some patients may even turn to suicide due to depression. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to depression after a stroke, as the incidence rate of post-stroke depression is very high, reaching up to 33%. Clinicians must carefully identify it, and family members of patients must be attentive in their care.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Clinical manifestations of stroke

Firstly, the patient may experience aphasia, such as not understanding others' conversations and being unable to accurately express their own opinions. Signs of facial paralysis, such as a skewed mouth, drooling, and nasolabial fold, may also appear. Secondly, limb paralysis is a common clinical symptom, generally presenting as hemiplegia. There may also be hemisensory disturbances, such as numbness on one side of the body. Thirdly, patients may experience a decline in cognitive functions, exhibiting slow reactions, reduced memory capabilities, and decreased computational skills. If a stroke affects the posterior circulation, the patient may experience symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, and hemianopia.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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What does "brain stroke dnt" mean?

The term "DNT" refers to the time from when an acute stroke patient arrives at the hospital to the start of intravenous thrombolytic treatment. Both domestic and international guidelines recommend the DNT to be within 60 minutes—the earlier, the better. This standard was established by the National Health and Family Planning Commission. The time it takes for pre-hospital emergency care and in-hospital medication administration is approximately 60 minutes each. It is only by improving the time from pre-hospital treatment to medication administration within this golden window that we can enhance the patient's survival rate, prognosis, and quality of life, while minimizing disability rates.

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Written by Sheng Wang
Neurology
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Causes of Dysphagia after Stroke

The causes of dysphagia resulting from a stroke are largely related to the location of the stroke. Dysphagia mainly involves the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, which are distributed in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. Therefore, if you have a brainstem stroke, specifically at the medulla oblongata, there is a significant chance of experiencing coughing due to aspiration and dysphagia. If the stroke occurs in a different area, these symptoms are unlikely to appear. A stroke in the cerebral hemisphere, since it has bilateral nerve supply, does not lead to noticeable coughing if only one side is affected. However, if one side is affected this year and the other side next year, similar symptoms of aspiration cough and dysphagia will occur. Therefore, neurologically, the location and specific site of the stroke are crucial, as each location presents different symptoms.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What department should I go to for a stroke?

Stroke is classified into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. If symptoms of a stroke occur, such as slurred speech, limb weakness, or other neurological deficits, one should immediately seek medical attention at the emergency department of a local hospital. Emergency doctors will perform a head CT scan. If ischemia is present, the CT scan might not show changes within 24 hours, in which case a visit to the neurology department is necessary. If hemorrhage is detected, then a visit to the neurosurgery department is required. However, if the symptoms are of a chronic, old stroke, then a visit to the neurology department is needed.