WHAT IS A STROKE?
A STROKE is when blood flow to a part of your brain is
stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood
vessel. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of
disability.
A STROKE occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen
and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts
(or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot
get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die.
TYPES OF CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT
Ischemic stroke
An ischemic stroke is the most common and occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood
vessel and prevents blood and oxygen from getting to a part of the brain. There are two ways
that this can happen. One way is an embolic stroke, which occurs when a clot forms somewhere
else in your body and gets lodged in a blood vessel in the brain. The other way is a thrombotic
stroke, which occurs when the clot forms in a blood vessel within the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, or hemorrhages, and then
prevents blood from getting to part of the brain.
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The hemorrhage may occur in any blood vessel in the brain, or it may occur in the
membrane surrounding the brain.
SYMPTOMS OF STROKE
· difficulty walking
· dizziness
· loss of balance and coordination
· difficulty speaking or understanding others who are speaking
· numbness or paralysis in the face, leg, or arm, most likely on just one side of
the body
· blurred or darkened vision
· a sudden headache, especially when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or
dizziness
The acronym “FAST” helps people recognize the most common symptoms of stroke:
Face: Does one side of the face droop?
Arm: If a person holds both arms out, does one drift downward?
Speech: Is their speech abnormal or slurred?
Time: It’s time to call 911 and get to the hospital if any of these symptoms are
present.
RISK FACTORS OF STROKE
Many factors can increase the risk of stroke. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include:
Lifestyle risk factors
· Being overweight or obese
· Physical inactivity
· Heavy or binge drinking
· Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine
Medical risk factors
· High blood pressure
· Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
· High cholesterol
· Diabetes
· Obstructive sleep apnea
· Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or
irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation
· Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack
· COVID-19 infection
Other factors associated with a higher risk of stroke include:
· Age — People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than do younger people.
· Race or ethnicity — African Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of stroke
than do people of other races or ethnicities.
· Sex — Men have a higher risk of stroke than do women. Women are usually older
when they have strokes, and they're more likely to die of strokes than are men.
· Hormones — Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen
increases risk.
PREVENTION OF STROKE
· Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
· Lowering the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.
· Quitting tobacco use.
· Managing diabetes. Diet, exercise and losing weight can help you keep your
blood sugar in a healthy range. If lifestyle factors don't seem to be enough to
control your diabetes, your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication.
· Maintaining a healthy weight.
· Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
· Exercising regularly.
· Drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all.
· Treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
· Avoiding illegal drugs.
COMMON COMPLICATIONS
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Paralysis
Difficulty Talking/ Swallowing
Memory Loss/ Thinking Difficulties
Pain
Weight Loss
Emotional Problems