Stroke

Question 1

What is a stroke?

Answer 1

Rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.

Question 2

What types of stroke are there?

Answer 2

Haemorrhage - leakage of blood

Ischaemia - lack of blood flow caused by blockage

Question 3

What lifestyle factors could cause stroke?

Answer 3

Diet – high cholesterol – leading to atheromas which can develop in the brain causing ischaemic stroke

Lack of exercise – poor cardiovascular health – leading to high blood pressure due to atherosclerosis and lack of vasodilation of the arteries.

Obesity – leads to poor cardiovascular health resulting in high blood pressure.

Smoking – leads to damage to the arteries due to toxins in cigarettes. Also increased clotting of the blood leading to atherosclerosis and increased risk of ischaemic stroke plus increased BP leading to risk of both haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke.

Question 4

Outline three clinical features of stroke and discuss how

the pathological changes cause these symptoms.

Answer 4

1. sensory loss due to damage in the sensory pathways, thalamus or sensory cortex
2. high tone due to damage in the motor cortex or motor pathways
3. coordination loss due to damage in the cerebellum.