Ischemic Stroke Causes and Types

Study Notes

Ischemic Stroke

Definition: Ischemic stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked, resulting in the death of brain tissue due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.

Causes:

Thrombosis: Blood clot forms in the brain's arteries, blocking blood flow.
Embolic stroke: Blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain, blocking blood flow.
Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to blockage.
Cardioembolism: Clots form in the heart and travel to the brain.

Risk Factors:

Hypertension: High blood pressure damages blood vessels.
Atrial fibrillation: Irregular heartbeat increases risk of clot formation.
High cholesterol: Buildup of plaque in arteries.
Diabetes: Damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Smoking: Damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure.

Symptoms:

Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden severe headache
Dizziness or loss of balance

Diagnosis:

Imaging tests: CT or MRI scans to identify blocked arteries and damaged brain tissue.
Physical examination: Evaluate symptoms and perform neurological tests.

Treatment:

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA): Clot-dissolving medication, administered within 3-4.5 hours of stroke onset.
Endovascular therapy: Minimally invasive procedure to remove clots or blockages.
Rehabilitation: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain lost function.

Prevention:

Control risk factors: Manage hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, maintain a healthy diet, and engage in regular physical activity.
Medications: Take medications as prescribed to prevent blood clots and high blood pressure.

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, resulting in brain tissue death due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.

Causes

Thrombosis: blood clot forms in the brain's arteries, blocking blood flow.
Embolic stroke: blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain, blocking blood flow.
Atherosclerosis: plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to blockage.
Cardioembolism: clots form in the heart and travel to the brain.

Risk Factors

Hypertension: high blood pressure damages blood vessels.
Atrial fibrillation: irregular heartbeat increases risk of clot formation.
High cholesterol: buildup of plaque in arteries.
Diabetes: damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Smoking: damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure.

Symptoms

Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg.
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden severe headache.
Dizziness or loss of balance.

Diagnosis

Imaging tests: CT or MRI scans identify blocked arteries and damaged brain tissue.
Physical examination: evaluates symptoms and performs neurological tests.

Treatment

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA): clot-dissolving medication, administered within 3-4.5 hours of stroke onset.
Endovascular therapy: minimally invasive procedure to remove clots or blockages.
Rehabilitation: physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain lost function.

Prevention

Control risk factors: manage hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Lifestyle changes: quit smoking, maintain a healthy diet, and engage in regular physical activity.
Medications: take medications as prescribed to prevent blood clots and high blood pressure.