Brainstem stroke

The brainstem connects the brain and the spinal cord. It controls many important functions, such as breathing, blood pressure and heart rhythm.

Changes that may occur after a stroke in the brainstem include:

• breathing problems
• coma: You are unable to wake up or move.
• dysphagia: You have a swallowing problem caused by weakness or loss of feeling in your tongue, lips, palate and/or throat.
• heart problems
• hearing loss
• hemiparesis or hemiplegia: You have weakness, partial or complete paralysis on your left side or right side or both.
• "locked in" state: You appear to be aware of your surroundings, but are unable to speak or respond in a meaningful way.
• sensation changes: You have numbness or loss of feeling on your left side or right side or both.