Cerebral Vascular Accident ( Cva )

Cerebral vascular accident or a stroke is the destruction of brain substance, resulting from thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, or embolism, which causes vascular insufficiency. In addition, it is an area of the brain denied blood and oxygen that is required and damage is done to a part of the cells. The effect of the patient depends upon where the damage occurs and the severity of the stroke.

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.

An ischemic stroke is typically caused by a thrombosis, which is a blood clot or an embolism, when the blood clot detaches and infiltrates the blood stream.

Ischemic stroke is the blockage of blood vessels in the brain as a result of blood clots (thrombi), causing the portions of the brain nourished by the vessel and its tributaries to be starved of nutrients, poisoned, and to eventually die (“Symptoms

A stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the cerebral arteries, those blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when one of those blood vessels in the brain is obstructed or ruptures flooding the brain with blood. Depriving blood and oxygen to the brain results in those immediate cells death, causing the brain not to function properly. Once parts of the brain stop functioning, it can directly affect the areas of the body controlled (1).

According to our American Red Cross Nursing Assistant text a cerebral vascular accident, C.V.A., or stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. The loss of blood supply results in the death of brain cells. (Page 91) When your brain starts to die the bodily functions the brain controls can be affected. The affected bodily functions depend on what part of the brain does not receive oxygen. Web MD says damage “can occur within 3-4 minutes if not treated.”

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked. The tissue does not get enough of oxygen and nutrients within minutes, the brain cells begin to die. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. The good news is a stroke can be treatable and is more preventable. More people live longer now than in the past years. Stroke is known as the silent killer. Many people ignore the symptoms and cause more damage to their body. People with stroke have trouble speaking and understanding, paralysis or numbness of the face arm or leg. If you ever encounter anyone with these systems, please call 911 imminently for help.

The stroke from a blocked artery is called ischemia, and the ruptured artery is hemorrhagic. As time is critical after the cerebrovascular accident, lack of treatment will lead to brain cell apoptosis and neural injuries are permanent. Evaluation using brief tests of cognitive impairment includes analysis of executive functioning, memory, language, and visuospatial performance, neuropsychiatric as well as depressive symptoms (Grant and Adams, 2009).

Cerebrovascular Accident- condition in which brain tissue is deprived of blood supply.  The most common stroke symptoms are:

A stroke happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to the brain such as a clot or spasm blocking cerebral vessels. There are two types of

Stroke is often related to other genetic diseases or disorders. Stroke occurs by blood flow being interrupted to the brain by either a clot or a bleed on the brain. The brain cells die quickly if blood flow is blocked (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2016a). Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow is blocked by clots or particles (CDC, 2016a). Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the brain has a bleed from blood vessels bursting (CDC, 2016a). Stroke can leave individuals with deficits and dependent on others for care. Stroke can cause death.

Stroke previously known as Cerebrovascular accident is well-defined as ‘an abrupt cessation of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels distributing the brain. Due to the interruption or diminish of oxygen supply causes serious damage or necrosis in the brain tissues (Jauch, Kissella & Stettler, 2005). There is a presence of one or more symptoms such as weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking or swallowing, dizziness, loss of balance, loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes and headache. Stoke is categorised into two types, Ischaemic and haemorrhagic

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessels in the brain leaks or ruptures. Bleeding from the ruptured brain artery can either go into the substance of the brain or into the various spaces surrounding the brain. The two types of hemorrhagic stroke are Intracerebral and Subarachnoid hemorrhagic.

Ischemic Strokes (caused by blood clots) - The most common cause of a stroke is a blood clot (thrombus) which is formed within a blood vessel of the brain. Embolism can also occur when a blood clot lodges itself in an artery causing a blockage, disabling oxygen rich blood from travelling to the brain. A heart attack (myocardial infarction), where the heart valve is damaged and an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) occurs, can cause blood clots which may eventually reach the brain.

A stroke caused by a blocked artery by a blood clot or bursting of a blood vessel because of uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are main three types of the stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries which supply blood to brain. A clot may be caused by fatty deposits (plaque) that build up in arteries and cause reduced blood flow (atherosclerosis) or other artery conditions. (mayo clinic). About 89%, strokes are ischemic strokes. Ischemic stroke includes thrombotic stroke. A thrombotic stroke occurs when a thrombus stuck in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. A clot build-up of fatty deposits in arteries. Another type of stroke is called the hemorrhagic stroke. This stroke occurs when a blood vessel leaks or ruptures in the brain. A bold vessel leaks or ruptures from many conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure or overtreatment with anticoagulants and the weak spot in blood vessel walls. (mayo). Some people experience a mini-stroke it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A temporary decrease or clot stuck in a vessel in our brain causes TIA. It happens less than five minutes. This stroke does not have any symptom, because the blockage is