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Cv Accident Or Stroke Essay

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CVA: Cerebrovascular accident or stroke
A CVA is a neurologic emergency that occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). A CVA may also be referred to as a “brain attack.” As reported by Quick Reference to Occupational Therapy (2014), a physical exam of the patient leads the physician to suspect a CVA and to gauge impairments on a functional scale through confirmation from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cerebral angiography, or electroencephalography (EEG). Blood tests for bleeding and clotting disorders may also be performed. Cardiac monitoring may show atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias (Reed, 2014).

Etiology: There are 2 types of strokes: Hemorrhagic and Ischemic. A Hemorrhagic stroke is when a brain aneurysm bursts or a weakened blood vessel leaks. According to the National Stroke Association (2016), about 15% strokes are hemorrhagic strokes per year. It is the least common type of stroke, but most often results in death 40% of the time. When a hemorrhagic stroke occurs, blood spills into or around the brain, and creates swelling and pressure which then damages cells and tissue in the brain. There are 2 types of hemorrhagic strokes: an intracerebral hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and spills into the surrounding brain tissue, damaging brain cells. A subarachnoid hemorrhage happens when an artery
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