Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

Derek Landreth and Chase Patrylak

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)A stroke is when a clogged or burst artery interrupts blood flow to the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack."

Parts of the nervous system affectedBecause of the organization of our nervous system, an injury to one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body. Often the person loses movement and/or feeling in the arm and/or leg opposite the side of the brain affected by the stroke.

2 Major StrokesThere are two major types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain.

Symptoms of a Stroke•Confusion or loss of memory

•Difficulty swallowing

•Difficulty writing or reading

•Dizziness or abnormal feeling of movement (vertigo)

•Lack of control over the bladder or bowels

•Loss of balance

•Loss of coordination

•Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually just on one side)

•Numbness or tingling on one side of the body

•Personality, mood, or emotional changes

•Problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision

Cause of a strokeThe blockage of an artery in the brain by a clot is the most common cause of a stroke. The part of the brain that is supplied by the clotted blood vessel is then deprived of blood and oxygen.

Therapy for a strokeStroke survivors sometimes experience remarkable and unanticipated recoveries that can't be explained. General recovery guidelines show:

•10 percent of stroke survivors recover almost completely•25 percent recover with minor impairments•40 percent experience moderate to severe impairments requiring special care•10 percent require care in a nursing home or other long-term care facility•15 percent die shortly after the stroke

Progression of StrokesThe onset of the stroke is usually sudden, although it can evolve in a step-wise manner over several hours in a thrombotic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke also occurs suddenly, though it is usually accompanied by a severe headache. It is more likely to cause coma than ischemic stroke, due the increase in pressure in the brain.

Pharmacology --Aspirin,

thrombolytics--Anti-coagulants--Surgery --Prophylaxis (anti-

platelets, anti-coagulants)

Expectations The outlook depends on:

•The type of stroke

•How much brain tissue is damaged

•What body functions have been affected

•How quickly you get treated

You may recover completely, or have some permanent loss of function.

Over half of people who have a stroke are able to function and live at home. Other people are not able to care for themselves.