While thousands of Americans have strokes in any given year, their experiences vary quite a bit depending on the part of the brain that’s affected. Different types of stroke affect the brain and body in unique ways.
When strokes occur, the brain is damaged in some way, which varies depending on whether it’s an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot or a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
In one way or another, though, the brain is damaged. How that affects a person will depend on what part of the brain is affected. There are two types of stroke in this regard — left brain strokes and right brain strokes.
Why the Part of the Brain Matters in Strokes
Have you heard someone say they were “left-brained” at some point? That person probably meant that he or she is good at linear thinking and verbal information. Different portions of the brain are responsible for different skills and abilities — and that also plays into how a stroke affects the brain.
“Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes can affect either side of the brain,” says Dr. Andres Saenz, a neurologist at University Health. “Most of the general population is right-handed, meaning their left side of the brain is the dominant hemisphere. This dominant hemisphere involves the language centers of the brain, both for production and interpretation.”
That means that if a stroke impacts the left side of the brain, those abilities are affected to some extent, depending on how severe the stroke was.
“Left-sided strokes most commonly cause aphasia, which is the inability to express or understand speech,” Saenz says. “In addition, there could also be the loss of sensation and movement of the contralateral (right) face, arm and/or leg.”
What about strokes affecting the right side of the brain? While the impact will vary from person to person, there are some commonalities for this type of stroke, too.
“Assuming the right side of the brain is the non-dominant side, common symptoms are visual-spatial ones and signs of neglect,” Saenz says. “Neglect would be described as the lack of attention or acknowledgement of the contralateral side of the body. In this case, it would be the left. There could also be the loss of sensation and movement of the contralateral (left) face, arm and/or leg.”
How the Side of the Brain Impacts Outcomes
When it comes to stroke, there are many variables. A patient’s overall outcome will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the stroke, how quickly treatment is received — and the part of the brain affected.
“Strokes that affect the dominant side of the brain, which in right-handed people would be the left side and vice versa, are generally more severe with regards to symptoms and recovery,” Saenz says. “This is mainly because of the involvement of the areas of the brain that involve speech production and interpretation. Recovery in cases like this requires extensive speech therapy, which I have seen help significantly.”
With that said, though, while the part of the brain plays a key role, ultimately, rehabilitation plays an equally important role in restoring abilities.
“The contralateral weakness that occurs in stroke involving either side of the brain can be equally disabling,” Saenz adds. “This recovery would necessitate physical and occupational therapy, which is pivotal to the process.”
Stroke Care at University Health
Learn more about the award-winning stroke care at University Health in San Antonio.