Ischemic Stroke Causes and Symptoms

Ischemic Stroke

• Accounts for approximately 87% of all strokes
• Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the brain
• 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 the blood vessels)
• Symptoms:
  • Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination

Hemorrhagic Stroke

• Accounts for approximately 13% of all strokes
• Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain
• Causes:
  • High blood pressure
  • Aneurysms (weakened blood vessels)
  • Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections between blood vessels)
  • Blood vessel malformations
  • Bleeding disorders
• Symptoms:
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion or loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg

Stroke Diagnosis

• Physical examination:
  • Assessing neurological function
  • Checking for signs of stroke, such as facial droop or arm weakness
• Imaging tests:
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Angiography (to visualize blood vessels)
• Laboratory tests:
  • Blood tests to check for bleeding disorders or blood sugar levels
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for heart problems

Stroke Prevention

• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing alcohol consumption
  • Managing stress
• Medical interventions:
  • Controlling high blood pressure
  • Managing diabetes
  • Lowering cholesterol levels
  • Taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications
• Screening for risk factors:
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

Stroke Rehabilitation

• Goals:
  • Regaining physical function and mobility
  • Improving cognitive function and memory
  • Enhancing communication and speech
  • Managing emotional and psychological changes
• Therapies:
  • Physical therapy (PT)
  • Occupational therapy (OT)
  • Speech therapy
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Medications to manage stroke-related symptoms
• Rehabilitation settings:
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
  • Outpatient rehabilitation programs
  • Home-based rehabilitation programs

Ischemic Stroke

• Most common type of stroke, accounting for 87% of all strokes
• Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the brain
• Causes of ischemic stroke:
  • Thrombosis (blood clot forms in the brain)
  • Embolism (blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain)
  • Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the blood vessels)
• Symptoms of ischemic stroke:
  • Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination

Hemorrhagic Stroke

• Less common type of stroke, accounting for 13% of all strokes
• Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain
• Causes of hemorrhagic stroke:
  • High blood pressure
  • Aneurysms (weakened blood vessels)
  • Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections between blood vessels)
  • Blood vessel malformations
  • Bleeding disorders
• Symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke:
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion or loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg

Stroke Diagnosis

• Diagnostic methods:
  • Physical examination to assess neurological function
  • Imaging tests:
    • Computed Tomography (CT) scan
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
    • Angiography (to visualize blood vessels)
  • Laboratory tests:
    • Blood tests to check for bleeding disorders or blood sugar levels
    • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for heart problems

Stroke Prevention

• Lifestyle modifications to prevent stroke:
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing alcohol consumption
  • Managing stress
• Medical interventions to prevent stroke:
  • Controlling high blood pressure
  • Managing diabetes
  • Lowering cholesterol levels
  • Taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications
• Importance of screening for risk factors:
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

Stroke Rehabilitation

• Goals of stroke rehabilitation:
  • Regaining physical function and mobility
  • Improving cognitive function and memory
  • Enhancing communication and speech
  • Managing emotional and psychological changes
• Therapies used in stroke rehabilitation:
  • Physical therapy (PT)
  • Occupational therapy (OT)
  • Speech therapy
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Medications to manage stroke-related symptoms
• Rehabilitation settings:
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
  • Outpatient rehabilitation programs
  • Home-based rehabilitation programs