Stroke Causes and Symptoms

Causes of Stroke

• Ischemic stroke: 87% of all strokes, caused by blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain, usually due to:
  • Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries)
  • Blood clots (thrombi) or emboli
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking
• Hemorrhagic stroke: 13% of all strokes, caused by:
  • Rupture of blood vessels (aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations)
  • High blood pressure
  • Blood vessel weaknesses

Symptoms of Stroke

• FAST:
  • F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
  • A - Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S - Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?
  • T - Time: Time is of the essence. If the person shows any of these symptoms, call for emergency medical services immediately.
• Other symptoms:
  • Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination

Diagnosis of Stroke

• Imaging tests:
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
• Physical exam:
  • Check for signs of stroke, such as weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
  • Assess cognitive function, including speech and language
• Blood tests:
  • Check for underlying conditions, such as diabetes or high cholesterol

Rehabilitation after Stroke

• Acute rehabilitation:
  • Begins in the hospital, focusing on stabilization and prevention of complications
  • Includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Post-acute rehabilitation:
  • Continues after hospital discharge, focusing on functional improvement and community reintegration
  • May include inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, or home-based care
• Goal-oriented rehabilitation:
  • Focuses on improving specific functions, such as walking, talking, or performing daily activities

Treatment of Stroke

• Ischemic stroke:
  • Thrombolytic therapy: Dissolves blood clots using medications, such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)
  • Mechanical thrombectomy: Removes blood clots using a device, such as a stent retriever
  • Antiplatelet medications: Prevents blood clots from forming
• Hemorrhagic stroke:
  • Surgical intervention: Repairs or removes ruptured blood vessels
  • Endovascular procedures: Treats aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations using minimally invasive techniques
  • Supportive care: Manages bleeding, blood pressure, and other related conditions

Causes of Stroke

• Ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes and is caused by blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain due to atherosclerosis, blood clots, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking.
• Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for 13% of all strokes and is caused by rupture of blood vessels due to aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, high blood pressure, and blood vessel weaknesses.

Symptoms of Stroke

• The FAST method can help identify stroke symptoms: Face (drooping), Arm (drifting downward), Speech (slurred or difficult to understand), and Time (call for emergency medical services immediately).
• Other symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing, sudden severe headache, and sudden loss of balance or coordination.

Diagnosis of Stroke

• Imaging tests used to diagnose stroke include CT scan, MRI, CTA, and MRA.
• A physical exam is used to check for signs of stroke, such as weakness or numbness, and assess cognitive function.
• Blood tests are used to check for underlying conditions, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

Rehabilitation after Stroke

• Acute rehabilitation begins in the hospital and focuses on stabilization and prevention of complications, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
• Post-acute rehabilitation continues after hospital discharge and focuses on functional improvement and community reintegration.
• Goal-oriented rehabilitation focuses on improving specific functions, such as walking, talking, or performing daily activities.

Treatment of Stroke

• Ischemic stroke treatment options include thrombolytic therapy, mechanical thrombectomy, and antiplatelet medications.
• Hemorrhagic stroke treatment options include surgical intervention, endovascular procedures, and supportive care to manage bleeding and related conditions.