Stroke

A healthcare provider can diagnose a stroke using a combination of a neurological examination, diagnostic imaging and other tests. During a neurological examination, a provider will have you do certain tasks or answer questions. As you perform these tasks or answer these questions, the provider will look for telltale signs that show a problem with how part of your brain works.

What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?

The most common tests that happen when a healthcare provider suspects a stroke include:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
• Lab blood tests (looking for signs of infections or heart damage, checking clotting ability and blood sugar levels, testing how well kidneys and liver function, etc.).
• Electrocardiogram (abbreviated ECG or EKG) to make sure that a heart issue isn’t the source of the problem.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG), though less common, can rule out seizures or related problems.