- A stroke occurs when part of the brain loses its blood supply and stops working. This causes the part of the body that the injured brain controls to stop working.
- A stroke also is called a cerebrovascular accident, CVA, or "brain attack."
- The types of strokes include:
- Ischemic stroke (part of the brain loses blood flow)
- Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding occurs within the brain)
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a certain part of the brain is reduced or interrupted.
Without oxygen and nutrients from the blood, brain cells cannot function properly and eventually
die.
There are 2 major types of strokes: ISCHEMIC stroke caused by a BLOCKED artery, and HEMORRHAGIC
stroke caused by a RUPTURED artery.
Ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot OBSTRUCTS an artery.
In some patients, the clot forms locally, inside the blood vessels that supply the brain.
This occurs when fatty deposits in an artery, or cholesterol plaques, rupture and trigger
blood clotting.
In other cases, a clot may travel to the brain from elsewhere in the body.
Most commonly, this happens in patients with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition in
which the heart does not pump properly, blood stagnates in its chambers, which facilitates
blood clotting.
The clots may then pass into the bloodstream, get stuck in smaller arteries of the brain
and block them.
Hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, occurs when an artery leaks or ruptures.
This can result from high blood pressure, overuse of blood-thinners/anticoagulant drugs,
or abnormal formations of blood vessels such as aneurysms and AVMs.
As a hemorrhage takes place, brain tissues located BEYOND the site of bleeding are deprived
of blood supply.
Bleeding also induces contraction of blood vessels, narrowing them and thus further limiting
blood flow.
Stroke symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Paralysis of muscles of the face, arms, or legs: inability to smile, raise an arm, or
difficulty walking.
- Slurred speech or inability to understand simple speech.
- Sudden and severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, or reduced consciousness.
Cerebral stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
It is essential to determine if a stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic before attempting
treatment.
This is because certain drugs used for the treatment of ischemic strokes, such as blood thinners,
may CRITICALLY aggravate bleeding in hemorrhagic strokes.
- For ischemic strokes, emergency treatment aims to restore blood flow by removing blood
clots.
Medication, such as aspirin and tissue plasminogen activator, TPA, are usually the first options.
TPA may be given intravenously, or if the symptoms have advanced, delivered
directly to the brain via a catheter inserted through an artery at the groin.
Blood clots may also be removed mechanically by a special device delivered through a catheter.
- Emergency treatment for hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, aims to stop bleeding,
reduce blood pressure, and prevent vasospasm and seizures.
A variety of drugs usually achieves these goals.
If the bleeding is significant, surgery may be required to drain the blood and reduce
intracranial pressure.
Preventive treatments for strokes include: - Removal of cholesterol plaques in carotid
arteries that supply the brain - Widening of narrowed carotid arteries with
a balloon, and sometimes, a stent.
This is usually done with a catheter inserted at the groin.
- Various procedures to prevent rupturing of brain aneurysms, such as clipping and embolization.
- Removal or embolization of vascular malformations - Bypassing the problematic artery.
I hope you understand my article and solved the problems.
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