Stroke

     Each year alone about 150,000 people in America die from a stroke or are seriously disabled. Stroke is among the top five causes of death. It generally happens very suddenly and it can take up to five to seven days to completely effect the patient. Depending on how many of the brain cells die during the stroke, and

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.

Medical experts emphasize that medical attention must be received within the first three hours of a stroke to repair blood flow and diminish damage.

To have their symptoms diagnosed, a person must first seek medical treatment. Only 20-25% of patients who are admitted to the hospital with a stroke arrive in the emergency department within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms (3). Once a doctor is able to determine what kind of stroke has occurred, it is important the appropriate medicine be given. If the wrong medicine were given to treat a stroke victim, it could result in death. Treatment for an ischemic stroke will focus mainly on restoring blood flow

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 is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Each year more than 795,000 Americans suffer from a stroke, which means that every forty seconds someone has stroke (Liebman, 2012). Although a stroke can occur at any age, strokes are frequently seen in the older adult demographics. An increase with age doubles the risk for a stroke each decade after 55 (Grysiewicz, 2008). The percentage of stroke survivors to almost fully recover from a stroke is only 10 percent; in contrast, 40 percent of stroke survivors will face moderate to severe impairment which will entail distinctive care (Perlmutter and Colman, 2005). When all strokes are analyzed according to demography of class system, approximately 60% of strokes occur in low or middle income countries (Silverman and Rymer, 2009).

There are different types of stroke that a person can suffer from. One is called Ischemic Stroke, this happens when arteries that go to the brain become small or blocked. Common types of Ischemic stroke would be called Thrombotic stroke, when a blood clot is in one of the artery leading to the brain and the other is Embolic stroke, this is when a clot or debris are formed in the body and taken through the blood stream into a narrow

Stroke, or brain attack, is the number four killer of adults in the world. In the United States, 160,000 deaths occur each year. From 1999 to 2009, the death rate from stroke gradually lowered as improvements to medicine and testing developed. Yet, 800,000 Americans continue to have strokes and survive the event. Worldwide, about 15 million experience stroke with 6 million who die and 5 million who become permanently disabled. (Robinson, Richard & Odle, Teresa G. & Frey, Rebecca J. & Odle, Teresa G. , 2011) The statistics in America are better for surviving a stroke because of rapid response and better interpretation of symptoms. Nevertheless, surviving a stroke often brings on dilapidating effects; which means a change in lifestyle and lifelong rehabilitation through physical therapy.

To illustrate this idea, an interesting fact is how there are more than one type of stroke. 85% of the time, a stroke would be caused by a blockage in the blood flow. The other 15% of the time will be from a haemorrhage, which is a blood clot. However, those aren't the only type. The ‘silent stroke’ is extremely difficult to predict as a silent stroke is a type of stroke that doesn't have many noticeable effects, but it causes the same amount of damage. They are quite common. With anyone who has experienced one, there is a high chance they’ll

All races, ethnicity, and sex are susceptible to strokes. African Americans are at greater risk for stroke. Women are more likely to have a stroke compared to men (WebMd,

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.

Depending on the most likely cause of your stroke, your doctor may advise specific medication or consider surgery to remove fatty deposits in your carotid artery.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States (National Stroke Association, 2010). Stroke is also a leading cause of disability. Approximately every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke which is about 795,000 per year (National stroke Association, 2010). The incidence of stroke makes it a major health problem in the United States.

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.

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