Stroke

Question 1

What is the circle of Willis?

Answer 1

A loop of blood vessels where the ascending blood vessels from the heart meet at the bottom of the brain

Question 2

What is a stroke?

What are the two main types of stroke?

Answer 2

A sudden acute loss of neurological function

Main causes:
- Haemorrhagic stroke (Primary Intracerebral Haemorrhage)
- Ischaemic stroke

Question 3

What is a haemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 3

A blood vessel or aneurysm bursting in the brain

Question 4

What is an ischaemic stroke?

Answer 4

Blood vessel blockage resulting in ischaemia beyond the blockage

Question 5

What are the risk factors for stroke?

Answer 5

Modifiable:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Atrial fibrillation
- Obesity

Non-modifiable
- Age
- Testosterone driven individuals
- Previous stroke/transient ischaemic attack
- Family history
- Ischaemic heart disease

Question 6

What are the symptoms of stroke?

Answer 6

Hemiparesis - One-sided weakness
Ataxia - Unsteady gait
Hemisensory loss
Homonymous hemianopia - Blindness in one side of the vision
Dysphasia/aphasia - Difficulty/No speech
Dysarthria - Slurred speech
Dysphonia - Very quiet
Diplopia - Double vision
Dysphasia - Difficulty swallowing

Question 7

What are some diagnostic tests for strokes?

Answer 7

Symptomology
Brain CT/MRI scans
Angiography
Carotid dopplers
ECG
24hr Telemetry
Blood
- Glucose
- Cholesterol
- ESR/CRP