Stroke

What is a hemorrhage?

excessive bleeding. A rapid and uncontrollable loss or outflow

What causes a T I A transient Ischemic attack?

A blood clot is the most common cause of a TIA. Blood clots can form when blood vessels are damaged by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation also can lead to blood clots. The clot can block blood flow to part of the brain. Brain cells are affected within seconds of the blockage. That causes symptoms in the parts of the body controlled by those cells. After the clot dissolves, blood flow returns, and the symptoms go away. Sometimes a TIA is caused by a sharp drop in blood pressure that reduces blood flow to the brain. This is called a "low-flow" TIA. It is not as common as other types.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly. Brain damage can begin within minutes. That's why it's so important to know the symptoms of stroke and to act fast. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full recovery.

What is Ischemic Stroke?

An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The clot may form in the blood vessel or travel from somewhere else in the blood system. About 8 out 10 strokes are ischemic strokes. They are the most common type of stroke in older adults.

Arms or arms/legs

Arm and/or LEG WEAKNESS. Sudden arm and/or leg numbness or weakness.

What the acronym for Stroke?

BE FAST! Call 121 or 911

BALANCE

Balance changes. Sudden changes in balance or coordination

What is hemorrhagic stroke?

Bleeding in the brain. Bleeding inside or around brain tissue. A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a blood vessel (artery) in the brain leaks or bursts (ruptures). This cause bleeding inside the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage). Near the surface of the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage). A common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the rupture of an aneurysm. Less common but deadly.

Time

Don't Stall; CALL. TIME TO CALL 911. Make note of the time the symptoms started.

Modifiable Risk Factors for Strokes

Don't smoke or allow others to smoke around you. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. Stay at a healthy weight. overweight develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make a stroke more likely. Be active Eat heart-healthy foods. fruits, vegetables, high-fiber foods, fish, and foods that are low in sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat. Manage high bp or high cholesterol Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range. Taking aspirin or a blood thinner as prescribed. Take medicine as prescribed Get flu vaccine every year to prevent complications megacardia

Face

Facial Droop. Face looks uneven.

What are two types of stroke?

Ischemic and hemorrhagic

Speech

Slurred Speech. Sudden difficulty speaking or can't speak clearly.

What are the symptoms of T I A transient Ischemic attack?

Symptoms of a TIA are the same as symptoms of a stroke. But symptoms of a TIA don't last very long. Most of the time, they go away in 10 to 20 minutes. They may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body. Sudden vision changes. Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Sudden problems with walking or balance.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Symptoms of a stroke happen quickly. A stroke may cause: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body. Sudden vision changes. Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Sudden problems with walking or balance. A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

Why is important to diagnosed what type of stoke?

The first thing the doctor needs to find out is what kind of stroke it is: ischemic or hemorrhagic. This is important, because the medicine given to treat a stroke caused by a blood clot could be deadly if used for a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

To find out what kind of stroke it is, the doctor will do a type of X-ray called a CT scan of the brain, which can show if there is bleeding. The doctor may order other tests to find the location of the clot or bleeding, check for the amount of brain damage, and check for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to a stroke.

What does TIA stand for?

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) aka mini strokes

What is the goal of ischemic stroke?

Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow to the brain by giving clot dissolving medicine called TPA

What is the goal of hemorrhagic stroke?

Treatment focuses on stopping the bleeding in the brain.

How is hemorrhagic stroke treated?

Treatment includes efforts to control bleeding, reduce pressure in the brain, and stabilize vital signs, especially blood pressure. To stop the bleeding, you may be given medicine or a transfusion of parts of blood, such as plasma. These are given through an IV. You will be closely monitored for signs of increased pressure on the brain. These signs include restlessness, confusion, trouble following commands, and headache. Other measures will be taken to keep you from straining from excessive coughing, vomiting, or lifting, or straining to pass stool or change position. If the bleeding is due to a ruptured brain aneurysm, surgery to repair the aneurysm may be done. In some cases, medicines may be given to control blood pressure, brain swelling, blood sugar levels, fever, and seizures. If a large amount of bleeding has occurred and symptoms are quickly getting worse, you may need surgery to remove the blood that has built up inside the brain and to lower pressure inside the head.

Eye

Vision Changes. Sudden vision loss or double vision.

What medication is use for ischemic stroke?

You may be given a clot-dissolving medicine called tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). This medicine can improve recovery from a stroke, especially if given as soon as possible after the stroke happens. Doctors try to give this medicine within 3 hours after symptoms start. Some people may be helped if they are able to get this medicine within 4½ hours of their first symptoms.footnote 1 Other medicines may be given to prevent blood clots and control symptoms.

What tests do you need after a TIA transient Ischemic attack?

Your doctor will do tests to look at your heart and blood vessels. You may need: Tests that show pictures of your brain and blood vessels, such as a CT scan, an MRI, a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), or an angiogram. A test that uses sound to check your blood flow (Doppler ultrasound). An echocardiogram (echo) to check your heart's shape and its blood flow. An electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) to measure your heart rhythm. Blood tests, including a complete blood count and a fasting blood test to check for problems that could be causing your symptoms.

What is a transient?

lasting only Short time; impermanent. not permanent. go away quickly.

What is a transient ischemic attack?

mini stroke. a clot blocking blood flow to an area of the brain. T I A happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced often by a blood clot. After a short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away. Some people call a TIA a mini-stroke, because the symptoms are those of a stroke but don't last long. Go way quickly. But no permanent damage can be demonstrated by MRI or CT scan. T I A is warning. It means you are likely to have a stroke in the future.