Stroke

Definition Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) The rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain

Classification Ischemic stroke (cerebral infarction) decreased blood supply to some part of the brain –Trombosis –Embolism –Systemic hypoperfusion (shock...) Haemorrhagic stroke (hemorrhage) accumulation of the blood inside of some part of the brain or inside the skull but outside the brain –High blood pressure –Aneurysm

Risk factors hypertension (hemorrhagic stroke) atrial fibrillation (embolic stroke) high cholesterol level (trombotic stroke) cigarette smoking (trombotic stroke) obesity family history of stroke diabetes endocarditis (embolic stroke) atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease (trombotic stroke) hypoxemia (systemic hypoperfusion) sickle cell anemia (trombotic stroke) cocaine use (hemorrhagic stroke) fractura (embolic stroke)

Signs and symptoms Warning Signs Prior Stroke TIA (transient ischemic attack) - mini stroke - change in the blood supply to a particular part of the brain for less than 24 hours (more than 24 hours = stroke) Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache with no known cause - 1/3 of people who have a TIA will have a stroke later Headache

Symptoms spinothalamic tract, corticospinal tract, dorsal column hemiplegia and muscle weakness of the face numbness reduction in sensory or vibratory sensation brainstem altered smell, taste, hearing, or vision (total or partial) drooping of eyelid (ptosis) and weakness of ocilar muscles decreased reflexes: swallow, pupil reactivity to light decreased sensation and muscle weakness of the face balance problems and nystagmus altered breathing and heart rate weakness in sternocleidomastoid muscle with inability to turn head to one side weakness in tongue (inability to protrude and/or move from side to side) cerebral cortex aphasia (inability to speak or understand language) apraxia (altered voluntary movements) visual field defect memory deficits disorganized thinking, confusion cerebellum trouble walking altered movement coordination vertigo and/or disequilibrium

Act FAST F ace: Does one side drop? A rms: Dies one arm drift downward? S peech: Are the words slurred? T ime: In any answer is yes, time is critical