The topic assigned to me for the health paper is cerebrovascular disease, which is a stroke.

     If doctors agree that a stroke has taken place, they may do other tests to determine where the stroke occurred, how large of an area is damaged, and how the blood flow with in the brain has been effected; they do this by taking a CAT scan. They may also take an ECG to determine if there is any heart disease that may have caused the stroke. In addition, they take tests to see if the patient has high blood pressure or they may test the arteries themselves because this is a major cause of stroke in most people. Catheterization, injecting dye into the arteries, and blood tests are the most common tests done. A high glucose level in the blood may reveal diabetes and high blood fats indicate thickened red blood and arteriosclerosis. There may also be a high level of red blood cells, changing the consistency of the blood. These conditions must be treated to prevent further strokes.

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.

The health issue that this artifact discusses is the significance of knowing and recognizing the warning signs of a stroke. The American Heart Association has made it their mission to provide unlimited health information and research in the hopes of eliminating cardiovascular diseases as well as helping society in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “Stroke is the number 5 cause of death and a leading cause of

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

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

It is important that the type of stroke is diagnosed quickly to reduce the damage done to the brain and also to determine the right type of treatment because one treatment for one kind of stroke can be harmful to someone who has had a different kind. A number of different medications may be given at the hospital to help break up the clot and prevent the formation of new clots. For Ischemic stroke the treatment can begin with drugs to break down clots and prevent further ones from forming. Aspirin can be given, along with an injection of a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). TPA works by dissolving clots but it needs to be injected within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms once they have presented themselves. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment can begin with drugs being given to reduce the pressure in the brain, overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels.(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117296) Because strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. After a stroke,

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.

When trying to detect the onset of a stroke, remembering the acronym F.A.S.T. is important (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911). If stroke symptoms are detected within an individual, they have just a couple hours before it is too late for any preventative treatment options. Unfortunately, the type of stroke cannot be identified except through several tests (physical test, blood test, CT, MRI), which are important because treatments are different for the different types of strokes. It would be hazardous to administer the wrong stroke treatment to an individual having a different kind of stroke. (McIntosh) Seeing the precursors to a stroke and preventing it is not always possible; therefore, the stroke victim may have some damaging effects on their body. Strokes can affect a body in different ways depending on which side the blood clot occurs. If the blood clot occurs in the right side of the brain, the left side of the body and the face will be affected. In addition to paralysis of the body and face, vision problems, memory loss, and quick, inquisitive behavior could result from a blood clot on the right half of the brain. If the clot were to occur in the left side, the right side of the body would suffer speech and language problems, slow behavior, or memory loss. (About Stroke.) Aside from the physical effects of a stroke, a victim might also be affected emotionally undergoing depression, or being unable to control their feelings. (McIntosh) Oftentimes, the outcome of a stroke is irreversible and saddening for everyone

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

Cerebral Stroke continues to be a leading cause of long-term disability and even death in many countries. 3 Cerebrovascular diseases include ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and cerebrovascular anomalies such as arteriovenous malformations and intracranial aneurysm; however, the majority of strokes are ischemic by nature. 3 Strokes result from the occlusion of a major cerebral artery by an embolism or thrombus, which ultimately leads to loss of blood flow to the affected region and causes an abrupt onset of a neurological deficit. 5 Neurological symptoms manifest within seconds because the neurons lack glycogen, causing malfunction in the conductance of electrical signals to certain areas of the body. 5 Cessation of blood flow to the head that lasts for more than a few minutes can cause infarction to the brain tissue. 2,5

According to American Stroke Association (ASA), stroke is a disease that affects the arteries that lead to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. As a result, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs which causes brain cells to die (American Stroke Association, n.d.). Depending on where the stroke occurs in the brain, the level/type of impairment differs with the individual. For example, if a stroke occurs in the back of the brain, it is likely that some disability involving vision will result. Overall, the effects of a stroke depend primarily on the location of the obstruction and the extent of brain tissue affected (American Stroke Association, n.d.).

In the U.S, Stroke is a popular leading cause of death. People may say they know someone who has had a Stroke or may have personally experienced one, the thing is it is common for someone to not know exactly what is happening during a stroke. In this essay we will cover the basic statistics and facts about stroke such as, what is it, prevention, how it is treated, survival rates and more. Stroke is a serious thing and if we don’t know how to prevent it, many are at risk.

        A “cerebrovascular accident” is a term used to define a stroke. When a stroke occurs, blood flow cessates to the brain. If the blood flow cessation prolongs, the brain cannot receive oxygen and nutrients, which may lead to cell death and irreversible damage (Kantor et al., 2005 Stanford Health Care, 2015). The two types of stroke are ischemic and hemorrhagic. During an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel that provides blood to the brain is blocked by a clot. One way an ischemic stroke could happen is from an artery that was narrow initially (thrombotic stroke). Another way is if the clot breaks from another part of the body into the brain (embolic stroke). If there is plaque within the arteries, this  could cause a disruption of blood flow and eventually lead to a clot. If a clot is overfilled, the blood vessel may break open; this is a hemorrhagic stroke  (Kantor, Stanford Health Care, 2015). Other ways a hemorrhagic stroke can occur is through arteriovenous malformation (AVMs) and aneurysms. For a “normal” person, arteries and veins are usually arranged so there is a web of capillaries to regulate the flow of blood. For a person with AVM, his or her arteries and veins are tangled and swollen thus disrupting the blood flow.  An aneurysm is a vessel bulging due to its weak vessel walls. If unnoticed, it could rupture and cause a

Stroke can be caused either by a break of a blood vessel or a blood clot that travels and makes to one of the blood vessels in the brain causing brain tissue death (. It is the third leading cause of death and disabilities next to heart disease and cancer in the western world. The incident of ischemic stroke increases exponentially as the age is greater than or equal to eighty. There are risk factors that are known causes of stoke such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and post- surgical procedures. The mortality and morbidity increases depending on how many times the incident of stoke re-occurs decreasing the chance of survival; thus this

A cerebrovascular accident more commonly known as a stroke or brain attack is the term used to describe the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow. In order to woke the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. This supply is carried to the brain