What is a stroke? - Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke

A stroke is an interruption of blood flow to the brain. Brain cells, like all the tissues in your body, require oxygen, which is supplied by the blood, to survive. Brain cells become severely damaged and can even die when blood flow ceases for any length of time. Use of PPA is known to increase your chances of suffering a stroke that could have devastating consequences for your health.

PPA has been implicated in higher occurences of these two major types of stroke:

A hemorrhagic stroke (a type of stroke that occurs when an artey leaks blood) has a 30-day mortality rate of 40 - 80%. Approximately 50% of all deaths occur within the first 48 hours.

Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by cerebral bleeding, which can take several forms:

• Intracerebral hemorrhages. This is bleeding inside the brain. The symptoms and prognosis of an intracerebral bleed vary depending on the size and location of the bleed.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhages. This is bleeding between the brain and the membranes that cover the brain.
• Subdural hemorrhages. This is bleeding between the layers of the brain's covering (the meninges).
• Epidural hemorrhages. This is bleeding between the skull and the covering of the brain.

Ischemic strokes are those that occur as a result of a blockage in an artery, such as with cardiovascular disease and/or from hypertension (high blood pressure).

Ischemic strokes are the most common types of strokes. About 8% of ischemic strokes result in death within 30 days. A quarter of the people who suffer an initial stroke die within a year, and 15% of first-stroke survivors will have another stroke within a year. The risk of another stroke increases in conjunction with high blood pressure, heart disease, drug abuse, obesity, or diabetes. Every three minutes someone dies of stroke. In the United States, stroke is the leading cause of long term disability, and about a quarter of elderly stroke survivors will need to be institutionalized.

When the Yale study definitively linked PPA to a higher incidence of stroke, it included statistics only on hemorrhagic stroke and did not study the connection to ischemic stroke. However, as of June, 2003 the United States District Court has ruled that use of PPA is definitely connected with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke.

The chemical PPA constrincts (narrows) blood vessels which tends to lead to hypertension - meaning your blood has to push harder to get through smaller blood vessel openings.

Hypertension is a leading cause of strokes of all kinds - including ischemic. Now expert witness testimony cites significant evidence (including animal and clinical studies and scientific research) that conclusively links PPA to greater frequency of ischemic stroke.

If the clot is in the vessel leading to the brain or neck, doctors call it a thrombosis. If a clot is disloged from one part of the body and travels to lodge in a brain or neck blood vessel, the event is called embolism. Or if you experience a blockage that's caused by a severe narrowing of a blood vessel or artery in the brain or neck, it's labeled stenosis.

Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any of the warning signs of a stroke. While ischemic stroke is more common and less deadly, its effects can still be devastating. If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, contact your doctor immediately to evaluate your health.

If you were taking a cold medication, weight loss supplement or prescription drug containing phenylpropanolamine(PPA) and know or suspect you had a stroke, you might be eligible to receive compensation. Save any containers or unused portions of the products with PPA. Should you decide to take legal action, these may become important evidence for your case.

Please contact us if you have any questions or need more information. HendlerLaw is currently reviewing cases of individuals who have suffered a stroke related to their use of a product that contained PPA. Please visit our website at www.hendlerlaw.com, call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-443-6353 or email us at help@ppaadvice.org