Stroke
Stroke
Definition:
A stroke is the sudden death of the cells in a specific area of the brain caused by inadequate blood flow. Another name for it is cerebral vascular accident (CVA). A stroke is also called a brain attack.
Description:
A stroke occurs when an artery bursts or becomes closed when a blood clot lodges in it and blood flow is interrupted to that part of the brain. Blood circulating to that area of the brain served by the artery stops at the point of rupture, and the brain tissue in that area dies or is damaged. The effects of a stroke are determined by which portion of the brain is affected and how much damage occurs. A stroke can cause memory loss, speech impairment, reasoning ability, loss of vision, paralysis, coma, and death, depending on what region of the brain is affected. Strokes are considered to be medical emergencies that require immediate treatment.
About one third of strokes can be followed by transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes). These strokes temporarily interrupt blood flow to the brain and cause similar symptoms like sudden vision loss or temporary weakness in a limb. Quick treatment can improve the chances of survival and increase the degree of recovery. A person who may have suffered a stroke should be seen in a hospital emergency room immediately. To be most effective, blood clot prevention treatment should begin within three hours of a stroke.
More than half a million people in the United States experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. Three million Americans are currently permanently disabled from stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke kills about 150, 000 Americans each year. Two thirds of strokes occur in people over age 65. Research shows that strokes affect men more often than women for some reason, although women are more likely to die from a stroke.
Contributing factors in these types of strokes are usually atherosclerosis
Definition:
A stroke is the sudden death of the cells in a specific area of the brain caused by inadequate blood flow. Another name for it is cerebral vascular accident (CVA). A stroke is also called a brain attack.
Description:
A stroke occurs when an artery bursts or becomes closed when a blood clot lodges in it and blood flow is interrupted to that part of the brain. Blood circulating to that area of the brain served by the artery stops at the point of rupture, and the brain tissue in that area dies or is damaged. The effects of a stroke are determined by which portion of the brain is affected and how much damage occurs. A stroke can cause memory loss, speech impairment, reasoning ability, loss of vision, paralysis, coma, and death, depending on what region of the brain is affected. Strokes are considered to be medical emergencies that require immediate treatment.
About one third of strokes can be followed by transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes). These strokes temporarily interrupt blood flow to the brain and cause similar symptoms like sudden vision loss or temporary weakness in a limb. Quick treatment can improve the chances of survival and increase the degree of recovery. A person who may have suffered a stroke should be seen in a hospital emergency room immediately. To be most effective, blood clot prevention treatment should begin within three hours of a stroke.
More than half a million people in the United States experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. Three million Americans are currently permanently disabled from stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke kills about 150, 000 Americans each year. Two thirds of strokes occur in people over age 65. Research shows that strokes affect men more often than women for some reason, although women are more likely to die from a stroke.
Contributing factors in these types of strokes are usually atherosclerosis