⭐️Stroke/ Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Flashcards
What is it
Definition: A stroke is a sudden loss of neurological function due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
Ischemic Stroke (87%) – Blockage of an artery (thrombotic or embolic)
Hemorrhagic Stroke (13%) – Rupture of a blood vessel
TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) – Temporary stroke-like symptoms lasting <24 hours without permanent damage
Clinical Features
🧠 FAST Mnemonic for Stroke Recognition:
• Facial droop 😦
• Arm weakness 💪
• Speech difficulty 🗣️
• Time to call emergency services 🚑
Other symptoms:
• Hemiparesis (weakness on one side)
• Hemianopia (loss of vision in half the visual field)
• Aphasia (difficulty speaking or understanding speech)
• Ataxia (loss of coordination)
• Sudden severe headache (more common in hemorrhagic stroke)
Epidemiology
Second leading cause of death worldwide
More common in men but deadlier in women
Ischemic strokes = ~87% of cases
Hemorrhagic strokes = ~13% but have higher mortality
Age Groups Affected
Most common in adults > 60 years
Young adults (<45 years) can be affected due to:
Genetic disorders
Cardioembolism (e.g., atrial fibrillation)
Drug use (e.g., cocaine)
Trauma
Risk Factors
✅ Modifiable:
Hypertension 💉 (biggest risk factor)
Smoking 🚬
Diabetes 🍬
High cholesterol 🍔
Atrial fibrillation ❤️
Obesity ⚖️
Excessive alcohol 🍷
Sedentary lifestyle 🛋️
🚫 Non-Modifiable:
Age ⏳ (>55 years = higher risk)
Family history 👨👩👦
Male gender 🚹 (higher incidence)
Ethnicity (higher in African, South Asian populations)
Clinical Presentation
🔹 Ischemic Stroke: Gradual onset, often painless, symptoms depend on the affected artery
🔹 Hemorrhagic Stroke: Sudden onset of severe headache (“worst headache of my life” in subarachnoid hemorrhage)
Altered level of consciousness (ranging from confusion to coma)
Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of body)
Aphasia (if dominant hemisphere affected)
Visual field deficits
Nausea and vomiting (due to increased intracranial pressure)
Seizures (more common in lobar hemorrhages)
Hypertension (often markedly elevated)
Signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
Papilledema
Bradycardia and hypertension (Cushing’s triad)
Decreased responsiveness
Neck stiffness and photophobia (if subarachnoid hemorrhage)
Cranial nerve deficits (e.g., oculomotor nerve palsy in posterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture)
🔹 TIA: Stroke-like symptoms resolve within 24 hours, but high risk of full stroke later
Prognosis
🔹 Better with early treatment! (thrombolysis, thrombectomy)
🔹 TIA = warning sign (high risk of stroke within 90 days)
🔹 Disability common after stroke (~50% need long-term rehab)
🔹 Prevention: BP control, statins, lifestyle changes, anticoagulants for A-fib
