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