SA an Stroke... Opinions welcome!

while the definitions of stroke given are correct as far as they go there is something to be aware of - one of the first things they taught us in physical therapy school was to not let the patient hold their breath - it is called the valsalva effect - when you hold your breath and strain the pressure created can cause a sudden increase in BP in that instance when you stop straining and breathe again. it is high and brief but in combo with other physical problems could contribute to a stroke or TIA type episode. if you think about sleep apnea you have an incident where you stop breathing - you body struggles and strains for air. in that moment when you start to get air again there is an up surge in your BP. if there are physical abnormalities in the brain or just vessel weakness a stroke can be a consequence. it would not necessarily take years of episodes for it to occur. and if the vessel is small enough the after effects can be very minor. doesn't make it less dangerous