Imagine the brain as a busy, crowded city, where every neuron is a vital part of the infrastructure, and the blood vessels are the highways ensuring smooth traffic flow. Now, picture a sudden roadblock in this complex network: a blood clot disrupting the flow and causing chaos. Just as a traffic jam can paralyze a city, a blood clot in the brain can lead to serious health crises, from strokes to long-term neurological issues. This is why timely interventions are crucial for the treatment of blood clots in the brain.
Although blood clots in the brain are rare, affecting around 1 in every 100,000 people, if not treated on time, these can be highly dangerous and may result in death.
What is a Blood Clot?
When a blood vessel branches and fills with blood, it causes a blockage in the artery. This results in the formation of a blood clot as the blood cells clump together. In this condition, the brain can be deprived of oxygen as the supply is cut off. This deprivation of oxygen may result in brain damage to the brain cells and may even lead to death.
What are the Types of Blood Clots in the Brain?
There are two types of blood clots that can cause a stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic Stroke
When a blood clot forms in an artery supplying blood to the brain, an ischemic stroke occurs. This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for around 87% of all strokes.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leaks blood into the brain tissue. Compared to an ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke is less common but more severe and life-threatening.
What are the Symptoms of a Blood Clot in the Brain?
The symptoms of a blood clot in the brain include the following:
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is one of the early signs of a brain blood clot. When your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, it will be affected and can make you experience blurred vision. You may notice that the view before you looks fuzzy or vague.
Severe and recurring headache
You will have a pain in the head that will not subside even after resting. Even at rest, that is, without much physical activity, your brain would still ache and hurt. A sudden headache, pressure in the head, and numbness around the face and body may also hint towards a blood clot.
Sudden problems with slurring of speech
Since the brain is being deprived of oxygen, it will damage, thus affecting your speech. So, you may feel your speech slowing down or even slurring. These speech restrictions may signal a blood clot in the brain.
Uncontrollable motor functions
As the damage keeps on happening to your brain, you will start to suffer from uncontrollable shaking or even tremors. These can be minor at first but grow in intensity as the blockage builds up.
Seizures
If the clot starts building up in size, seizures can occur. Most of these are short; however, long and violent seizures can also be a factor.
Dizziness
This is due to the starvation of oxygen in the brain, and you may feel lightheaded and fainting.
Paralysis
The extent of the blood clot can cause paralysis with its increase in size. Paralysis could be acute because the location of a blood clot might show its effect in certain parts of the body.
But even before these happen, you may experience some warning signs that you should look out for. If you recognize any of these symptoms, you should get a blood clot in brain treatment.
What are the Reasons/Causes Behind the Formation of a Blood Clot in the Brain?
Some of the factors that play a role in the formation of blood clots in the brain are listed below:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Birth control pills
- Brain trauma
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries due to the deposition of fat and calcium in the blood vessel wall, also called plaque)
- Family history of blood clots in the brain
- Age
How is Blood Clot in the Brain Diagnosed?
Your doctor may order the following tests and scans for the diagnosis of a blood clot in the brain:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
- V/Q scans
How is Blood Clot in the Brain Treated?
Treating blood clots in the brain is a complex and delicate process that demands immediate medical intervention. The approach taken will largely depend on the type and severity of the stroke. Some of the most common options for a blood clot in the brain treatment are explained below:
Anticoagulant medications
Anticoagulants, often referred to as blood thinners, are used to prevent further clotting by thinning the blood. This treatment is typically prescribed for individuals with a history of blood clots or those who have experienced a stroke caused by a clot. Your doctor may suggest anticoagulants and antiplatelets to reduce the risk of new clots forming.
Thrombolytics
In emergencies like a stroke, thrombolytics are administered to rapidly dissolve blood clots. An example of such a drug is heparin, which helps to quickly break up the clot and restore blood flow.
Surgery
When medication is not enough, your doctor may suggest surgical options to remove the blood clot:
- Mechanical Thrombectomy: This surgical procedure is performed to remove the blood clot in the brain. This procedure involves using a specialized device with a mesh to physically extract the clot from the brain’s arteries.
- Burr hole drainage: This involves drilling a small hole in the skull to drain the clot and relieve pressure on the brain.
- Craniotomy: A craniotomy is a more invasive approach where a section of the skull is removed to access and remove the clot before being replaced.
Contact EdhaCare if you want to know more about surgical options available for the blood clots in the brain treatment. We can help you get a customized treatment plan according to your needs.
Stents
Stents are tiny tubes inserted into the brain’s blood vessels to keep them open, ensuring that blood flows properly.
Vena cava filters
These filters are placed in the inferior vena cava to catch and prevent clots from reaching the heart, brain, or lungs. As they are inserted via an endoscope or catheter, they intercept clots before clots can cause further damage.
What is the Cost of Treatment of Blood Clots in the Brain?
The cost of treatment of blood clots in the brain in different countries is mentioned below:
| India | UAE | Turkey | France | |
| Mechanical Thrombectomy | INR 2,00,000 – 4,00,000 (USD 2,500 – USD 5,000) | AED 25,000 – 50,000 (USD 7,000 – USD 14,000) | TRY 60,000 – 120,000 (USD 2,000 – USD 4,000) | € 7,000 – € 15,000 (USD 10,00 – USD 16,500) |
| Burr Hole Drainage | INR 1,50,000 – 3,00,000 (USD 1,800 – USD 3,600) | AED 20,000 – 40,000 (USD 5,500 – USD 11,000) | TRY 50,000 – 100,000 (USD 2,500 – USD 3,500) | € 5,000 – € 10,000 (USD 5,500 – USD 11,000) |
| Craniotomy | INR 3,00,000 – 6,00,000 (USD 4,000 – USD 7,000) | AED 40,000 – 80,000 (USD 10,000 – USD 22,000) | TRY 1,00,000 – 2,00,000 (USD 3,500 – USD 7,000) | € 10,000 – € 20,000 (USD 11,000 – USD 22,000) |
| Stents | INR 1,00,000 – 2,50,000 (USD 1,500 – USD 3,000) | AED 5,000 – 12,000 (USD 1,500 – USD 3,500) | TRY 10,000 – 25,000 (USD 500 – USD 1,000) | € 2,000 – € 5,000 (USD 2,500 – USD 5,500) |
The costs mentioned above are subject to change and should be verified with local healthcare providers for the most accurate and current pricing.
Contact EdhaCare for a detailed cost structure customized according to your healthcare needs.
How to Prevent Formation of Blood Clots in the Brain?
The following measures can help prevent the formation of a blood clot in the brain:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Control underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol)
- Eat a healthy diet
- Drink alcohol in moderation
To prevent and treat a blood clot in the brain, one should identify and manage the risk factors that contribute to its development. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms of blood clots in the brain. Early diagnosis and treatment of blood clots in the brain can improve the chances of recovery and prevent further damage to the brain.
Which Hospitals Provide Treatment For Blood Clot in the Brain?
Some of the best hospitals providing blood clot in brain treatment are:
| Best Hospitals in India | Best Hospitals in the UAE | Best Hospitals in Turkey | Best Hospitals in France |
| Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital | Aster Mankhool Hospital | Memorial Hospital | Paris Saint-Joseph Hospital |
| Apollo Hospital | Burjeel Hospital | Medicana International Hospital | American Hospital of Paris Hospital |
| Manipal Hospital | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi | Hisar Intercontinental Hospital | Saint Louis Hospital |
Conclusion
A blood clot in the brain represents a serious medical emergency that may lead to brain damage or even death. Treating a blood clot is both a science and an art, demanding swift action and expert care. From innovative medications to sophisticated surgical techniques, each treatment option plays an important role in improving quality of life.
Understanding the treatment option not only clarifies the complexities of brain health but also highlights the incredible progress made in the fight against life-threatening conditions.
Stay informed and connect with EdhaCare and get a proper blood clot in brain treatment.