Ischemic Stroke Causes and Symptoms

Stroke

Ischemic Stroke

• 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

Hemorrhagic Stroke

• 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

Stroke Rehabilitation

• 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

Stroke Prevention

• 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)

Stroke Diagnosis

• 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

Stroke

Types of Stroke

• 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 Causes

• 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

Hemorrhagic Stroke Causes

• High blood pressure
• Aneurysms: weakness in blood vessel walls
• Arteriovenous malformations: abnormal connections between blood vessels
• Blood vessel injuries

Stroke Symptoms

• 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

Stroke Rehabilitation

• 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

Stroke Prevention

• 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

Stroke Diagnosis

• 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

This quiz covers the basics of ischemic stroke, including its causes, symptoms, and effects on the brain. Learn about the role of thrombosis, embolism, and atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke.