Strokes Flashcards
Stroke
Occurs when blood flow is either cut off or reduced, depriving the brain of blood and oxygen
Ischemic stroke
Makes up 87% of strokes
Caused by a blockage in an artery stopping normal blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
Two types of ischemic strokes
Embolism
Thrombosis
Embolism
Type of ischemic stroke where a blood clot or plaque fragment from elsewhere
in the body gets lodged in the brain
Thrombosis
Type of ischemic stroke where a blood clot is formed in an artery that
provides blood to the brain
Blood clot
Mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins and cells in the blood stick together to stop bleeding.
When the bleeding stops, the body breaks down and removed the blood clot
Blood clots not forming where they should, or too many blood clots, or abnormal blood clots are dangerous
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Blood clot in deep vein usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. It can block a vein and cause damage to your leg.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
When the DVT clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, and can damage the lungs and prevent organs from getting oxygen
Symptoms of blood clots
In the abdomen: Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
In an arm or leg: Sudden or gradual pain, swelling, tenderness, and warmth
In the lungs: Shortness of breath, pain with deep breathing, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate
In the brain: Trouble speaking, vision problems, seizures, weakness on one side of the body, and sudden severe headache
In the heart: Chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, and pain in the left arm
Stroke from large vessel occlusion (LVO)
A more severe type of ischemic stroke occurs when a major artery in the brain is blocked.
Affects up to 46% of acute ischemic stroke
Caused by blockages in the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, or basilar artery
Aneurysm
Occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen.
Can develop over many years and often have no symptom
When it ruptures, it can serve as a problem
Hemorrhagic stroke
Caused by breakage of blood vessel within the brain due to bleeding
13% of strokes caused by hemorrhage
Can be result of ruptured aneurysm
Aortic aneurysm
occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body.
Cerebral aneurysm
occurs in an artery of the brain.
Two types of hemorrhagic stroke
Intracerebral hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage