Facts About Stroke Essay
STROKES, TIA &
GLASGOW COMA SCALE
By Maricel Cruz-Bustamante
Stroke Facts
Strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death in developed countries. (4th in the U.S.)
Nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year.
1 American dies from stroke every 4 minutes. Stroke related healthcare cost = Approx.
$70 billion per year.
(American Stroke Association, 2014)
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a “Brain Attack”
Occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off.
Brain cells are deprived of oxygen and die. Abilities controlled by the area affected are lost temporarily or permanently.
Two Types: Ischemic & Hemorrhagic
Ischemic Stroke
Occur when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot.
High blood
pressure is the greatest risk.
85% of all strokes
Two Types: Embolic & Thrombotic
Ischemic Stroke
EMBOTIC
Caused by a blood clot called an embolus forms somewhere in the body
(usually the heart) and travels to the brain
15% occur in people with atrial fibrillation.
(Caplan & Goldszmidt,
2010)
THROMBOTIC
Caused by a blood clot called a thrombus that forms inside one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Seen mostly in people with high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. Hemorrhagic Stroke
Only 15% of all strokes.
Responsible for about 40% of all stroke deaths. Cause by brain aneurism burst or weakened blood vessel leak.
Blood spills into or around brain and creates swelling and pressure.
What is a TIA?
Transient Ischemic Attack
“Mini Stroke”
Symptoms last less than 24hrs.
Normally do not cause permanent damage Serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored! (American Stroke Association, 2014)
Signs & Symptoms
Vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding .
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause. (National Stroke Association, 2010)
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.
Diagnosis
Review the events that occurred
Get medical history
Physical and neurological exam
CT and/or MRI Scan
Blood flow test
CT & MRI Scans
CT & MRI Scans Cont.
Effects of a Stroke
Effects of a Stroke Cont.
Treatments
Lifestyle changes such as diet, physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking. Medications to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
Antiplatelet Agents (i.e. Aspirin)
Anticoagulants (i.e. Warfarin)
Endarterectomy
Stenting (National Stroke Foundation,
2014)
Risk Factors
UNCONTROLLABLE RISK
FACTORS
CONTROLLABLE RISK
FACTORS
Age
Heredity
Race
Sex
Prior stroke or heart attack
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Diabetes
Poor diet
High cholesterol
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)
TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. (CDC, 2014)
The severity of a TBI may range from brief change in mental status or consciousness to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.
The Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS is the most common scoring system used to describe the level of consciousness in a person following a TBI.
Glasgow Coma Scale
GLASGOW COMA SCALE
By Maricel Cruz-Bustamante
Stroke Facts
Strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death in developed countries. (4th in the U.S.)
Nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year.
1 American dies from stroke every 4 minutes. Stroke related healthcare cost = Approx.
$70 billion per year.
(American Stroke Association, 2014)
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a “Brain Attack”
Occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off.
Brain cells are deprived of oxygen and die. Abilities controlled by the area affected are lost temporarily or permanently.
Two Types: Ischemic & Hemorrhagic
Ischemic Stroke
Occur when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot.
High blood
pressure is the greatest risk.
85% of all strokes
Two Types: Embolic & Thrombotic
Ischemic Stroke
EMBOTIC
Caused by a blood clot called an embolus forms somewhere in the body
(usually the heart) and travels to the brain
15% occur in people with atrial fibrillation.
(Caplan & Goldszmidt,
2010)
THROMBOTIC
Caused by a blood clot called a thrombus that forms inside one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Seen mostly in people with high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. Hemorrhagic Stroke
Only 15% of all strokes.
Responsible for about 40% of all stroke deaths. Cause by brain aneurism burst or weakened blood vessel leak.
Blood spills into or around brain and creates swelling and pressure.
What is a TIA?
Transient Ischemic Attack
“Mini Stroke”
Symptoms last less than 24hrs.
Normally do not cause permanent damage Serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored! (American Stroke Association, 2014)
Signs & Symptoms
Vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding .
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause. (National Stroke Association, 2010)
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.
Diagnosis
Review the events that occurred
Get medical history
Physical and neurological exam
CT and/or MRI Scan
Blood flow test
CT & MRI Scans
CT & MRI Scans Cont.
Effects of a Stroke
Effects of a Stroke Cont.
Treatments
Lifestyle changes such as diet, physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking. Medications to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
Antiplatelet Agents (i.e. Aspirin)
Anticoagulants (i.e. Warfarin)
Endarterectomy
Stenting (National Stroke Foundation,
2014)
Risk Factors
UNCONTROLLABLE RISK
FACTORS
CONTROLLABLE RISK
FACTORS
Age
Heredity
Race
Sex
Prior stroke or heart attack
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Diabetes
Poor diet
High cholesterol
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)
TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. (CDC, 2014)
The severity of a TBI may range from brief change in mental status or consciousness to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.
The Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS is the most common scoring system used to describe the level of consciousness in a person following a TBI.
Glasgow Coma Scale