Intro lecture Flashcards
who does stroke generally occur in?
Older population
Speech can play an important role in helping identify where the stroke is
- located in the left hemisphere of brain in 90% of people even if they are left handed
- If speech is slurred then one knows that pathology is likely located in the left hemisphere
What is the Acute Thrombolytic/clot busting time window?
< 3 hours for the best effect
Why has it happened?
Wall irregularities; cause of thrombus
e.g. as a result of one of the many risk factors
Stroke Epidemiology
Incidence:
- 114/100 000
- 75% > 65 years
Results of Stroke :
1/3 recover well
1/3 significant disability - these ppl have life changed immensely
1/3 die
Total annual cost of stroke
£7000 million
Single most important risk factor
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
increased b.p. leads to increased risk of stroke
R.F #2
Diabetes
Increases risk of stroke
relative risk is roughly x2
Diabetics MORE LIKELY TO DIE than non-diabetics
R.F #3
Cigarette smoking
males and females equally affected
RR = x1.5
Risk declines after cessation of smoking
Association btwn carotid diease and smoking
R.F #4
High Cholesterol
deposition of cholesterol in vessel wall occurs as one gets older
this narrows vessels; makes blood flow IRREGULAR
STATINS: lower cholesterol
Hard to lower cholesterol via diet alone, pts are put on statins
Summary of risk factors
- High B.P
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Alcohol (not independently but goes along with the others)
- Lifestyle
Blood supply to the Brain:
Anterior & posterior circulation
Anterior Circulation (+middle):
- made up of the Right and Left Common Carotid Arteries
Posterior Circulation:
-
Right and left Vertebral arteries
- these form the Basilar artery
Posterior circulation event
involves problems with:
- Vision
- Co-ordination (due to cerebellum affected)
- Breathing (brainstem affected)
Anterior Circulation Event:
Involves problems with:-
- Parietal lobe
- Motor cortex
- Movement and Sensory problems
- perhaps also speech depending on which hemisphere is involved (speech usually in the left)
Aphasia/dysphagia
Dysarthria
Aphasia: Lack of speech completely
Dysphagia: Difficulty getting words out; more left sided
Dysarthria: slurred speech