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Cerebellar Stroke

Cerebellar strokes happen when something interrupts blood flow to the cerebellum at the back of your brain. Cerebellar strokes can cause symptoms that might be easier to ignore than other strokes. Don’t dismiss sudden new headaches, balance loss or vision changes, or any other new symptoms that make you feel worried or uneasy.

Overview

What is a cerebellar stroke?

A cerebellar stroke is a stroke that affects the cerebellum in your brain. They’re also known as cerebellum strokes or cerebellar stroke syndrome.

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The cerebellum is a part of your brain at the back of your head, near where your spinal cord connects to your brain. It helps you move your body, maintain balance, learn new movements and process some types of thinking. Strokes that damage your cerebellum can permanently affect your ability to move and use these functions.

A cerebellar stroke happens when a blood vessel in your cerebellum is blocked by a blood clot or breaks (ruptures) and bleeds.

Symptoms and Causes

What are cerebellar stroke symptoms?

A cerebellar stroke can cause different symptoms depending on what causes it. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Cerebellar strokes can cause symptoms that might feel easy to ignore. Don’t dismiss things like dizziness, headaches or losing your balance, especially if they happen suddenly.

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Each half of your cerebellum controls the opposite side of your body. So, if the stroke affects the left side of your cerebellum, you’ll experience symptoms on your right side. And if the stroke damages tissues in the right side, you’ll have symptoms on your left.

What are the warning signs of a cerebellum stroke?

Cerebellum strokes can cause lots of different symptoms. To recognize the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or a loved one, remember the acronym BE FAST:

  • Balance. Watch for a sudden loss of balance.
  • Eyes. Look out for sudden vision loss or changes in one or both eyes.
  • Face. Smile. Look for a droop on one or both sides of your face.
  • Arms. Raise both arms. If you’re having a stroke, one arm may not move or will be very weak and sag.
  • Speech. You might slur your speech or have trouble choosing the right words.
  • Time. Time is critical — call for help immediately. If possible, look at your watch, phone or a clock to track when symptoms start. Telling a healthcare provider when symptoms began can help them know which treatment options are best for you.

Transient ischemic attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) — sometimes called a “mini-stroke” — is like a stroke, but the effects are temporary. Symptoms usually last a few hours. These are often warning signs that a person has a very high risk of having a true stroke soon. A person who has a TIA needs emergency medical care as soon as possible. Call 911 or your local emergency services number right away.

What causes a cerebellar stroke?

There are two types of cerebellar strokes that have different causes.

Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your cerebellum. Health conditions that increase your risk of blood clots can include:

Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a vessel in your cerebellum breaks or tears. Causes can include:

Risk factors

Anybody can have a stroke, but you may have a higher risk if you:

  • Smoke or use other forms of tobacco or nicotine (like vaping)
  • Are older than 65
  • Are Black
  • Use recreational or nonprescription drugs

Having certain health conditions can increase your stroke risk, including:

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Diagnosis and Tests

How is a cerebellar stroke diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose a cerebellar stroke with a physical exam, a neurological exam and some tests. Providers in the emergency room may diagnose a stroke if emergency services transport you to the ER.

Your provider will use some of the following tests to confirm that you’ve had a stroke:

Management and Treatment

What are cerebellar stroke treatments?

Which treatments you’ll need will depend on which type of cerebellar stroke you had. Your healthcare providers will try to restore normal blood flow to your brain as fast as possible to reduce your risk of permanent brain damage and death.

If the stroke is ischemic, your providers will break up or remove the blood clot. You’ll need thrombolytic medications (clot-busting medications). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) are common clot busters. You may need surgery (a mechanical thrombectomy) to break up and remove the clot. Your providers may also give you medications to manage your blood pressure.

If you had a hemorrhagic stroke, your providers will work to stop the bleeding in your brain. You may need medications to control the bleeding and manage your blood pressure. You might need surgery to reduce the pressure inside your brain.

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Your providers will tell you exactly which treatments are best for you and what to expect.

Cerebellar stroke rehabilitation

Stroke rehab is an important part of stroke treatment. You’ll need rehab to help you adjust to changes in your brain and body after a stroke. You might need a combination of:

  • Physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve your balance and regain the use of your arms and legs
  • Speech therapy to regain or improve your language and speaking abilities and control the muscles that help you talk, breathe, eat and swallow
  • Cognitive rehab to help improve your memory, concentration and other mental abilities
  • Occupational therapy to help you safely complete your daily tasks, especially chores or activities that need precise body movements

Prevention

Can you prevent a cerebellum stroke?

Maintaining your overall health is the best way to reduce your risk of a cerebellum stroke. In general, try to:

  • Manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and any health conditions you have
  • Quit smoking
  • Eat plenty of healthy foods and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you
  • Get regular physical activity
  • Get a healthy amount of sleep

Visit a healthcare provider every year (or as often as they suggest). Many of the conditions that can cause cerebellum strokes develop or build up over time. Some don’t cause symptoms you can feel or notice. For example, lots of people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol never sense anything wrong before they’re diagnosed. Your provider will help you catch and manage any warning signs before they increase your stroke risk.

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Outlook / Prognosis

What is the survival rate for a cerebellar stroke?

It’s hard for experts to estimate an accurate cerebellar stroke survival rate. Any stroke can be fatal, cause permanent disabilities and affect how long you live (your life expectancy). There’s no one standard recovery timeline or outlook that’s accurate for everyone.

Ischemic strokes usually have better outcomes than hemorrhagic strokes, but that doesn’t mean your recovery will be easier, faster or better if you have one type or the other. Everyone’s bodies respond differently to a stroke.

Can you fully recover from a cerebellar stroke?

What you can expect (the prognosis) after a cerebellar stroke depends on a few factors, including:

  • How quickly it was treated
  • Which type of stroke you had
  • Your overall health
  • Your age

A full recovery looks different for each person. You might regain all your original brain functions and abilities to move. This usually takes at least a few months. But you might have long-term effects like new or different disabilities.

Your provider will tell you what to expect. They’ll help you set recovery goals and expectations that fit your unique health and situation.

Living With

How do I take care of myself after a cerebral stroke?

Recovering and rehabbing after a stroke is hard work. Once you and your provider finalize your treatment plan, follow it as closely as possible. In general, you should:

  • Take your medications. Taking your medicine as often as your provider suggests will help your body heal.
  • Go to your rehab and other therapy appointments. Tell your therapists if anything makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Rehab can be tough, but you shouldn’t be in constant pain or discomfort.
  • Remember your mental health. Depression and anxiety are extremely common after a stroke. You’re not weak or a quitter for feeling sad or upset. Your emotional health can be just as important as how your physical body is doing. Talk to your provider or a mental health professional if you feel like you need help processing anything during your recovery.

When should I go to the ER?

Call 911 (or your local emergency services number) if you think you’re experiencing stroke symptoms again. Another stroke has an even higher risk of being fatal or causing severe complications. Don’t wait to call for help.

People who’ve had a stroke have an increased risk of other potentially serious complications, including:

Call emergency services or go to the ER if you think you’re experiencing any symptoms of these complications.

Which questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Questions you may want to ask your provider include:

  • Which type of stroke did I have?
  • Which medications will I need and how do I take them?
  • Which kinds of rehab will I need?
  • What’s my risk of another stroke in the future?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Cerebellar strokes can cause symptoms that might be easy to dismiss. But you know your body better than anyone. If you feel off, different or even think you might be having a stroke, get emergency help. The faster your providers diagnose and treat a cerebellar stroke, the better.

It might seem like a cliché, but give yourself credit for all your progress during rehab. Recovery comes in lots of shapes and forms, and you deserve to celebrate them all. Your providers and therapists will help you set and reach your recovery goals.

Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed on 12/04/2024.

Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.

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