Ischemic Stroke Causes and Symptoms

Study Notes

Account for approximately 87% of all strokes
Occur when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply
Can be caused by:
- Thrombosis (blood clot forms in the brain)
- Embolism (blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain)
- Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in blood vessels)
Symptoms:
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Vision problems
- Dizziness or loss of balance

Account for approximately 13% of all strokes
Occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain
Can be caused by:
- High blood pressure
- Aneurysms (weakness in blood vessel walls)
- Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections between blood vessels)
- Blood vessel injuries
Symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Seizures

Goal: to help individuals regain lost function and independence after a stroke
Types of rehabilitation:
- Physical therapy: to improve mobility and strength
- Occupational therapy: to improve daily living skills
- Speech-language therapy: to improve communication and swallowing
- Cognitive therapy: to improve memory and problem-solving
Rehabilitation can occur in various settings, including:
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Outpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Home health care

Lifestyle modifications:
- Quit smoking
- Manage high blood pressure
- Control diabetes
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy diet
Medical interventions:
- Medications to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Anticoagulant medications for atrial fibrillation
- Carotid endarterectomy (surgery to remove plaque from blood vessels)

Diagnostic tools:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Carotid ultrasound
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
Diagnostic criteria:
- Rapid onset of symptoms
- Focal neurological deficits (symptoms affecting specific areas of the brain)
- Evidence of brain tissue damage on imaging studies

Ischemic stroke: 87% of all strokes, caused by blocked blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply
Hemorrhagic stroke: 13% of all strokes, caused by ruptured blood vessels, leading to bleeding in the brain

Ischemic stroke:
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Vision problems
- Dizziness or loss of balance
Hemorrhagic stroke:
- Severe headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Seizures

Goal: to help individuals regain lost function and independence after a stroke
Types of rehabilitation:
- Physical therapy: improves mobility and strength
- Occupational therapy: improves daily living skills
- Speech-language therapy: improves communication and swallowing
- Cognitive therapy: improves memory and problem-solving

Lifestyle modifications:
- Quit smoking
- Manage high blood pressure
- Control diabetes
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy diet
Medical interventions:
- Medications to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Anticoagulant medications for atrial fibrillation
- Carotid endarterectomy: surgery to remove plaque from blood vessels

Diagnostic tools:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Carotid ultrasound
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
Diagnostic criteria:
- Rapid onset of symptoms
- Focal neurological deficits: symptoms affecting specific areas of the brain
- Evidence of brain tissue damage on imaging studies