How is stroke diagnosed?

Before a stroke can be treated, diagnostic tests must be performed. Health care providers must find out what kind of stroke it is to treat it correctly. A person thought to be having a stroke may have a neurological exam, blood tests and an electrocardiogram.

Other kinds of tests used in diagnosing stroke include:

• Imaging tests that give a picture of the brain. These include CT (computed tomography) scanning, sometimes called CAT scans, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning. CT scans are particularly useful for determining if a stroke is caused by a blockage or by bleeding in the brain.
• Electrical tests such as EEG (electroencephalogram) and an evoked response test to record the electrical impulses and sensory processes of the brain.
• Blood flow tests, such as Doppler ultrasound tests, to show any changes in the blood flow to the brain.