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 the following.
- 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, throat or all.
- 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.
Reviewed By: Allina Health Patient Education experts
First Published: 02/01/2006
Last Reviewed: 05/01/2018