Why do I need a head CT scan if my healthcare provider thinks I had a stroke?

If you’ve learned that you need a head CT scan to check for stroke, then you’ll likely have questions about why this scan matters, and what a head CT can reveal. We’re here to tell you a little more about how a head CT scan is used to diagnose stroke, so you’ll be informed before your scan.

A CT scan helps your provider quickly spot signs of a stroke, tell what kind it might be, and look for other serious problems like bleeding of the brain. It also plays an important role in shaping your treatment and guiding decisions about what to do next.

To help you feel more informed and confident, we’ll walk you through what a head CT scan can show, and how those results support your care. Let’s take it one step at a time and break down what you can expect.

Why your healthcare provider chose a CT scan to evaluate your symptoms

If your healthcare provider is concerned you may have had a stroke, one of the first things they might do is recommend a head CT scan. Let’s take a closer look at why this scan is such a valuable tool when it comes to evaluating stroke symptoms.

What makes a head CT the right scan for people who have had a stroke?

Head CT scans are especially good at spotting bleeding in the brain, which can help your provider to rule out or confirm certain types of stroke. CT scans also help check for other possible causes of your symptoms, like swelling of the brain, or any signs of injury.

When is a CT scan preferred over an MRI scan for helping to diagnose stroke?

A CT scan is often preferred because it quickly shows signs of past strokes, brain damage, or other abnormalities. It’s especially helpful for detecting changes caused by strokes that involve bleeding. 

CT scans are widely available, and provide clear images of the brain’s structure, helping your provider decide what type of stroke may have occurred. That kind of information about your brain health will support your provider’s recommendations for your follow-up care.

What does a head CT scan tell my healthcare provider?

A head CT scan creates detailed cross-section images of your brain, helping your provider see what’s going on inside. They can use these images to look for changes in brain tissue, blood vessels, or fluid buildup.

If there’s bleeding, swelling, or evidence of a blockage, it often shows up clearly on the scan. Even if the images look normal, that information still helps your provider make more informed decisions about next steps.

How can my CT results help my provider to create a plan for my care?

The results of your head CT help shape the direction of your care right away. If the scan suggests a different kind of stroke, or another health issue, your provider can shift focus and tailor your care accordingly. In either case, the results from a head CT scan can provide a roadmap to help decide what should happen next.

Discovering the kind of stroke you had

When stroke symptoms appear, one of the first things your provider needs to figure out is what kind of stroke might be happening, since that information will determine their approach to your care. The information in your head CT results can be vital for shaping how your provider moves forward with care.

What are the types of stroke that a head CT scan can help identify?

There are two main types of stroke––one caused by a blockage (ischemic stroke), and the other caused by bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). A head CT scan is often the quickest way to tell the difference between the two.

This distinction is a big deal, because each type needs a very different kind of care. If the scan shows bleeding, it’s likely a hemorrhagic stroke; if there’s no bleeding, your provider may consider an ischemic stroke, instead.

How does a CT scan reveal signs of a clot that may be blocking blood flow?

When a clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, it can stop oxygen and nutrients from reaching certain areas. A CT scan may not always show the clot itself, but it can show subtle changes in brain tissue that suggest something is blocking your blood flow.

These changes can include swelling or a darker area where the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. Even when the scan looks mostly normal, that information still helps guide the next steps to confirm whether a blockage is present.

What can a head CT show my provider about burst blood vessels?

If a blood vessel bursts in the brain, it usually causes bleeding that shows up clearly on a CT scan. This bleeding often appears as a bright white area, helping your provider quickly spot where the issue is happening.

Catching bleeding early is key, since certain treatments can be harmful if bleeding is present. By seeing exactly where and how much bleeding there is, your provider can make more confident, informed choices about how to help you.

Guiding your care after a stroke

Once stroke symptoms are on the radar, your healthcare provider needs clear information to guide your care moving forward. This is where the CT scan becomes more than just a diagnostic tool––it becomes a guide. Let’s explore how your CT results fit into your care journey.

How can my CT scan results help my healthcare provider determine the next steps?

The CT scan helps your provider figure out what kind of stroke might be happening and whether immediate treatment is needed. If the images show bleeding, they’ll likely avoid treatments meant for strokes caused by a blockage.

On the other hand, if there’s no bleeding, your provider might consider treatments that help restore blood flow. Either way, having this information early makes it easier to move forward quickly and safely.

What kind of treatment decisions depend on the type of stroke you have had?

The type of stroke you’ve had, and whether it’s caused by a clot (an ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke), makes a big difference in how your provider treats it. For a clot, treatment may include medications that break up the blockage and help restore blood flow. 

But if the stroke is due to bleeding, those same medications could make things worse, so a different approach is needed. A head CT scan helps your provider see what kind of stroke has occurred so they can choose the safest and most effective treatment.

How can my CT results help to ensure I get the best available care?

When your provider can see what’s going on in your brain, they can make decisions that are more accurate and better matched to your needs. This helps avoid delays or treatments that aren’t right for your situation.

A clear scan can also highlight areas that need close watching, which helps guide care in the hours and days that follow. Altogether, these early images help lay the groundwork for thoughtful, effective care moving forward.

Looking for bleeding and other serious problems

When someone shows signs that could point to a stroke, one of the first priorities is checking for anything serious, like bleeding in the brain or other brain injuries. Your head CT results will give your provider the critical details they need to make informed decisions for your care.

What makes a head CT scan the right tool for spotting bleeding in the brain?

One of the strengths of a head CT scan is how clearly it can show bleeding in or around the brain. Blood appears brighter than most brain tissue, which makes it easier to see where the bleeding is happening, and how much bleeding there might be.

This helps your provider know right away if bleeding is involved, which is a key factor in choosing the safest next steps. The ability to spot bleeding quickly is one reason CT is often used first when stroke is suspected.

How does a CT scan help rule out brain injuries or another cause of my symptoms?

Not all stroke-like symptoms are caused by stroke. Some symptoms may be linked to a head injury, a tumor, or other changes inside the brain, so a head CT scan gives a clear picture that helps your provider spot or rule out these other possible causes.

This can be especially helpful if you’ve recently had a fall or bump to the head, or if your symptoms seem unusual. Ruling out other problems makes it easier to narrow in on the right cause and choose the best approach from there.

How can a head CT show if the pressure inside my skull is increasing?

A CT scan can reveal signs of swelling, fluid buildup, or bleeding that may raise pressure inside the skull. When this happens, parts of the brain can shift out of place, which shows up clearly on the images.

These changes are important to catch early, since increased pressure can quickly become dangerous, so a head CT can be vital for caring for someone with stroke. By spotting warning signs right away, your provider can act to protect the brain, and ensure that you receive the best available care.

How to schedule an appointment with us

Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment. 

With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region.

We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.

Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:

• Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Medford Office – Medford, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Sewell (Washington Township) Office – Sewell, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Voorhees (Carnie Boulevard) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ

Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.