Stroke Information

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You are in: Home > Stroke Information > Your Stroke Journey > Acute Phase > Diagnosis And Tests

Diagnosis And Tests

Tests are necessary to diagnose which type of stroke you have had and look for undiagnosed conditions that may have contributed to it. It is unlikely you will need all the tests below—your doctor will decide which ones are appropriate for you. For those not admitted to hospital an immediate referral to a stroke specialist and assessment clinic is desirable to ensure all necessary tests are carried out as soon as possible.

Tests may be done for several reasons

• to confirm that your symptoms were caused by a stroke and not by another condition with similar symptoms
• to find out what type of stroke you have had, where it is and how severe it was
• to identify possible causes for your stroke and so reduce the risk of further problems from undiagnosed heart conditions, blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes

Blood Tests

Blood is taken to check for and monitor certain conditions that may have contributed to your stroke, such as diabetes or problems with blood clotting.

Chest X-Ray

This looks for other underlying conditions such as heart or chest complaints.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

This is a brain scan that identifies what kind of stroke you have had and the extent of damage the stroke may have caused. It is also used to exclude other types of illness that have similar symptoms to stroke. A scan should be done within 7 days of having a stroke and ideally within 48 hours.

Doppler Or Duplex Ultrasound Scan

This is a scan used to look for narrowing of the blood vessels in the neck (the carotid arteries), which supply blood to the brain. This narrowing can be a cause of stroke.

Echocardiography

This is an ultrasound scan of the heart used to look at the structure and movement of the heart muscle.

This may be used to look for any heart problems that may have contributed to your stroke.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Records the electrical activity of your heart in rate and rhythm. Irregular heart rhythms can cause strokes and need to be treated.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan

This is another type of brain scan that gives a more detailed picture than a CT scan.

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