- "There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding."
A medical emergency in which there is a sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain. This can result in a range of symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty speaking, and loss of vision.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain: Understanding the structures and functions of the brain and how they are affected by a stroke.
Types of Strokes: Understanding the different types of strokes, including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, and sudden severe headache.
Diagnosis of Stroke: Learning about the various diagnostic tests used to identify a stroke, including CT scan, MRI, and angiography.
Risk Factors for Stroke: Understanding the risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity.
Prevention and Treatment of Stroke: Learning about the different strategies for preventing stroke, such as lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.
Acute Management of Stroke: Understanding the acute management of stroke, including the use of thrombolytics and anticoagulants.
Rehabilitation after Stroke: Learning about the various rehabilitation strategies used to help patients recover after a stroke, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Post-Stroke Complications: Understanding the potential complications that can arise after a stroke, such as pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and depression.
Stroke in Special Populations: Learning about how stroke affects different populations, such as older adults, children, and pregnant women.
Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, which occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain. This results in a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, causing brain tissue to die.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or leaks, causing bleeding in the brain. This can be due to high blood pressure or a weakened blood vessel.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This is also known as a “mini-stroke” and is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Symptoms may only last a few minutes to hours, but it is a warning sign that a major stroke may be imminent.
Cryptogenic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when no clear cause can be identified for the stroke.
Embolic Stroke: This is a type of ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot that travels from another part of the body and gets lodged in an artery in the brain, blocking blood flow. This is usually due to a heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation.
- "Signs and symptoms of stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, dizziness, or loss of vision to one side."
- "If symptoms last less than one or two hours, the stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini-stroke."
- "Long-term complications may include pneumonia and loss of bladder control."
- "The biggest risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure."
- "Other risk factors include high blood cholesterol, tobacco smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, a previous TIA, end-stage kidney disease, and atrial fibrillation."
- "Ischemic stroke is typically caused by blockage of a blood vessel, though there are also less common causes."
- "Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by either bleeding directly into the brain or into the space between the brain's membranes. Bleeding may occur due to a ruptured brain aneurysm."
- "Diagnosis is typically based on a physical exam and supported by medical imaging such as a CT scan or MRI scan."
- "A CT scan can rule out bleeding, but may not necessarily rule out ischemia, which early on typically does not show up on a CT scan."
- "Other tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests are done to determine risk factors and rule out other possible causes."
- "Prevention includes decreasing risk factors, surgery to open up the arteries to the brain in those with problematic carotid narrowing, and warfarin in people with atrial fibrillation."
- "Aspirin or statins may be recommended by physicians for prevention."
- "Ischemic stroke, if detected within three to four-and-a-half hours, may be treatable with a medication that can break down the clot."
- "Some cases of hemorrhagic stroke benefit from surgery."
- "Treatment to attempt recovery of lost function is called stroke rehabilitation."
- "Ideally, stroke rehabilitation takes place in a stroke unit."
- "In 2013, approximately 6.9 million people had ischemic stroke."
- "In 2013, approximately 3.4 million people had hemorrhagic stroke."
- "In 2015, stroke was the second most frequent cause of death after coronary artery disease."