Strokes: The Most Common Cause Of Death

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).

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.

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.

Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain ceases, causing brain cells to begin to die within minutes. In some instances, people who suffer from a stroke lose at least one function. Although all functions are important, there are some functions that are more crucial than others. If I were to suffer a stroke, there are three that would have the largest impact on my life: movement, memory, and emotion. I feel that the function that would affect my life the most if it were lost would be memory. Memories are linked to emotions, personality, and future decisions, all of which are extremely important.

Stroke is a result of improper blood circulation in the brain. It is the major reason for disability and death worldwide.

Strokes claim a victim every forty seconds in the world (Mcintosh 1). Strokes happen when the brain is deprived of blood, leading to rapid brain cells start dying rapidly, which causes muscle weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulties, and the drooping of the side of one’s face. Oftentimes, strokes are believed to be unpredictable and unmanageable, however understanding the biology and causes behind them can allow for many prevented and effectively managed strokes (Mcintosh 2).

A stroke is an attack of the brain that happens when the blood flow to a certain area of the brain is cut off. This happens because the brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. Once brain cells die during a stroke, the capabilities controlled by that portion of the brain like memory and muscle control are lost.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the world. Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke. About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, where blood flow to the brain is blocked and 13% are hemorrhagic strokes, where a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Stroke costs the United States an estimated $34 billion each year. Strokes are diagnosed and confirmed using physical examination, blood tests and brain imaging techniques. Clinical treatments and preventative measures for stroke have improved in the acute setting, but long-term rehabilitation techniques remain limited. Stroke is a major health problem that greatly affects people of all ages and causes long-term disability

Body functions affected with an ischemic stroke are dependent on the brain artery of the vascular deprivation and the area injured in the brain. The amount of blood flow and length of time determine how much damage occurs. By understanding neural and vascular pathways as well as reactive healing can help healthcare workers be prepared for expectations, limitations, and treatments for damage caused by ischemic

A stroke is also known as a cerebral vascular accident. This is a silent disease. “A cerebral vascular accident or stroke, occurs when there is a sudden death of some brain cells due to the lack of oxygen; when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain.” There are two different types of strokes. First you can have a blockage of blood flow which can cause a person to have a stroke. Or, you could have a bleeding vessel in your brain or around the area of your brain.

What is a stroke? What are the types of strokes? What are the symptoms of stroke? Strokes have been afflicting mankind since creation. A stroke is caused by an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain, the term stroke comes from the fact that it usually happens without any warning, striking the person from out of the blue. A stroke can happen to anyone, some people are at higher risk for different reasons such as age or family history. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, being overweight, diabetes, and high cholesterol. According to Conn Foley (1985), “At least 500,000 individuals suffer an episode of each year in the United States. About 2 ½ million survive and with intensive rehabilitation, many can lead active lives” (P. 1). In other words, it is possible to survive and recovery. Having a stroke does not mean that one should give up hope or resign oneself to a life of disability and social withdrawal. Although stroke is relatively common, few people seem to be knowledgeable about its underlying causes, the way in which it produces disability, or how it can be treated and prevented.

What is a stroke and how is it related to the aging brain? A stroke happens when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or it is reduced, depriving the brain tissues of oxygen and food (Bendheim, P.E. (2009). Within minutes of a stroke brain cells begin to die. Early action can minimize brain damage and potential complications. A stroke can cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on how long the brain suffers the lack of blood flow (Perlmutter, David. (2004). Some complications after a stroke are; paralyzation (loss of muscle movement), memory loss, and trouble talking. Paralyzation is due to the lack of blood flow to the brain, a patient can lose movement in one side of the body. Stroke can damage too many parts of the brain, and it can start an early brain aging. A stroke can cause a patient to loss control over the way muscles in the mouth move, have difficult talking and eating (Bendheim, P.E. (2009). But one can try to prevent a stroke by taking care of their high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

Stroke or “brain attack” is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of disability worldwide. Approximately 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. Of these, an estimated 185,000 are classified as recurrent stroke—i.e., these strokes occur in individuals who have previously suffered a brain attack. On average, stroke kills one American every four minutes—totaling 130,000 deaths each year. It is estimated that the United States spends 34 billion dollars per year on stroke related healthcare and lost productivity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015).

When a stroke occurs it is a result of the blood supply to the brain being interrupted or blocked. When the brain is not receiving oxygen and nutrients from the blood, brain cells die or bleeding in the brain begins to occur. There are two forms of stroke ischemic which is the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain or hemorrhagic which is bleeding into or around the brain.7 Once a stroke occurs it affects more than just the brain, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and aphasia are all common effects that result from a stroke. “Hemiplegia is the paralysis of one side of the body and is a common disability that appears post stroke. 9 out of 10 stroke survivors have some degree of paralysis immediately following a stroke. Hemiparesis is less severe than hemiplegia but is still disabling, it is when one side of the body is severely weakened from the stroke. Hemiparesis affects about 8 out of 10 stroke survivors.”8 Aphasia is a disorder that affects someone’s ability to grasp language, read, write, or speak and an often time occurs as a result of a stroke. Aphasia occurs in 20 to 30% of stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off or when a blood vessel burst. Without oxygen the brain cells begin to die. Which can cause death and temporary or permanent damage to the to the body causing a disability. Symptoms of a stroke can include numbness in the arms, legs, or face, sudden headaches, sudden confusion, sudden trouble talking among other things. It is important to identified the symptoms to help ourselves or others when we think we might be experiencing a stroke. Calling for help when we think a stroke is happening is vital to the survival of the affected person without any injury or disability.