A stroke is also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Strokes can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of a blood flow to the brain. It can be caused by a thrombosis or embolism. A thrombosis is a clot that disrupts the flow of blood to the brain. An embolism is a blood clot that forms in a different area of the circulatory system and travels through the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are when a blood vessel bursts causing bleeding in the brain or in the area surrounding the brain. This can be caused by an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation. An aneurysm is a weakened area of a blood vessel that eventually is weakened so much that it bursts. An …show more content…
About half of all pediatric strokes are hemorrhagic and is also listed as one of the top ten causes of death in kids. (American Heart Association, 2016). The origin of stroke in kids in unknown, but contributors can be sickle cell anemia, congenital heart defects, immune disorders or other clotting factors. Strokes can also happen during the perinatal period, or the last 18 week of gestation to the first 30 days after birth. This is the most common time for pediatric strokes to occur (International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke, 2017). Many people are unaware of the possibility of a stroke occurring to someone so young, it is often only thought to happen to adults. The actuality is that two-thirds of all strokes do happen to people aged 65 and older. (Radomski & Latham, 2014)
The location and severity of the CVA determine the impairment or disability of the individual. Possible areas affected are paralysis or weakness, gross and fine motor skills, speech and language, cognition, vision, and emotions. A stroke that occurs on one side of the brain will affect the opposite side of the body. If a stroke were to occur on the left side of the brain, it would be the right side of the individual’s body that could potentially have paralysis or weakness, speech or language problems, or memory loss. If a stroke were to occur on the right side of the brain, it would be the individual’s left side that could potentially have paralysis or
The most common causes of strokes are thrombosis. This is when a clot forms in one of the arteries, mostly in the carotid in the neck and the vertebral artery. The blood is thick and moves very slowly through the artery. The thrombus will form on the damaged area of the artery wall and will cut off the flow of blood to the brain. The area of the artery that is damaged is cause by arteriosclerosis. This form of
Strokes are caused by a block in the blood supply to the brain which causes a decrease in oxygen and delivery of other important supplies which facilitate proper functioning. Fifteen million cases are reported worldwide annually, although not all of these cases are mortalities, the large prevalence of strokes ranks it as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (Figueroa) Because of the time sensitivity associated with the lack of resources to the brain, strokes are considered a medical emergency and early recognition of symptoms can help decrease the amount of damage caused . Although strokes do not always cause death, strokes most often leave the individual with some physical and cognitive impairment.
“Strokes in young adults […] comprise 10%–15% of all stroke patients, ischemic stroke among young adults was diagnosed in 61% of cases, intracerebral hemorrhage in 17%, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 22%.
Strokes are caused by pathophysiological changes. The two major mechanisms of stroke consist of ischemia and haemorrhage. Ischemia is when there is no oxygen or not, merely enough oxygen to fuel the tissue level in the body. Haemorrhage in the brain, causing strokes can be due to non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage (Shah, MD, n.d.) (see appendix 1). This essay will further discuss the implications of strokes on a cellular, organ and system level. Explain the clinical presentation of the signs and symptoms of strokes and how the condition will be managed by a paramedic.
Stroke also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cerebrovascular insult (CVI), or a brain attack. A brain attack is the loss of brain function by the cause of disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This disturbance occurs due to either one of two causes which are ischemia (lack of blood flow) or a hemorrhage (high increase of blood flow directly into brain; parenchyma or into the subarachnoid space which surrounds the brain with tissue). Ischemia is a formation by a blood clot that is inside of a blood vessel located in the circulatory system called thrombosis or arterial embolism; which is a rapid interruption in the supply of blood flow to an organ or body part due to a clogged artery blocking the blood flow. Thrombosis is a
Hemorrhagic stroke is, the less common types of CVA, nearly 13% is all stroke cases and is a result from bleeding into the brain tissue itself (Intracerebral and intraparenchymal hemorrhage) or into subarachnoid space or the ventricles (subarachnoid hemorrhage or intraventricular hemorrhage). This type of stroke is further subdivided into:
Adults and children are both affected by strokes. Strokes are one of the top ten causes of childhood death (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 9). Between 50 and 85 percent of children who have strokes will be affected with long-term health issues (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 9). These health issues may include learning difficulties, seizures and possible recurring strokes (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 9). Up to 20 percent of all strokes occur in people over the age of 55 years old (Buzzard, 2013, pg 7).(DeTallo, 2013)
Sometimes known as a brain attack, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops. Brain cells immediately start to die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients they need to function. There are two types of strokes. The most common type, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind of stroke, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans ("What You Need to Know About Stroke," 2013). In fact, according to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year ("Stroke Facts," 2015). A stroke can cause great damage in the brain and lead to mild or severe
Risk factors for having a stroke is often related to underlying diseases or disorders. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, heart disorders, diabetes, prior stroke, and sickle cell disease are risk factors for a stroke (CDC, 2017b). Lifestyle choices such as unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco, and too much alcohol can also increase the risk for having a stroke (CDC, 2017a). Genes passed on from family members, genetic disorders, age, sex, race, and ethnicity can also increase the risk for stroke (CDC, 2016b).
A stroke occurs when there is a disruption of blood flow within the brain. A stroke can occur in two ways, one is a blood clot forming which can block a vessel in the brain causing an ischemic stroke. Another way is having a leakage or burst in a blood vessel inside the brain, causing a brain bleed (hemorrhagic stroke). The population stroke most often affects are the African American, Alaska Native, and American Indian populations. Individuals with specific risk factors may also be at a greater risk of getting a stroke. These risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, smoking, and family history. There is no specific age of onset for stroke, but the risk of a stroke occurring does increase as an individual gets older.
Age matters because the likelihood of having a stroke nearly doubles every 10 years after age 55. Although stroke is more common among the elderly,a lot of people under 65 also have strokes. A list of risk for a stroke high blood pressure,diabetes,heart diseases,smoking,and brain aneurysms or arteriovenous malformation (AVMs). Sudden numbness or weakness of the face,arm or leg,especially on one side of the body. Some people who have a stroke recover quickly and can regain normal function of their body after just a few days.
All strokes are caused by an obstruction of blood getting to the brain. The ischemic stroke is caused by a blot clot similar to what happens during a heart attack where blood can’t get through because of plaque buildup that blocks the artery. Hemorrhagic stroke are instead of a blockage a blood vessel bursts and can be caused by a head injury that cause a brain bleed. Transient ischemic strokes are “mini” strokes that happen when there is a blockage but the blood flow is restored after short period of
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016) Within the category of an ischemic stroke, the 2 sub-strokes are: thrombotic and embolic strokes. “A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the arteries that supply blood to (the) brain…may be caused by fatty deposits that build up in arteries and cause reduced blood flow (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016)”. On the other hand, “An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or other debris forms away from your brain…and is swept through (the) bloodstream to lodge in narrower brain arteries (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016)”. The second category of stroke is the hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs, “…when a blood vessel in (the) brain ruptures (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016)”. Within this category of stroke, again possess 2 sub-categories: intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages. An intracranial hemorrhage is when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leaks it’s contents into the surrounding brain tissue (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016); conditions such as, “high blood pressure,
Stroke is a brain disease caused by internal bleeding, and lack of blood to the brain. There are two types of strokes, a ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke. Over 795,000 people in America have a stroke each year. It is possible to prevent or cure a stroke. Strokes are diagnosed with machines or by looking at the symptoms. There are many symptoms and results of a
There are two main categories of CVAs: an ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic CVA is a stroke that is due to an obstruction or thrombus that travels to the cerebral blood vessels and occludes a vessel within the brain.