Types of stroke, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, brain anatomy Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to parts of the brain is interrupted, usually due to a blocked or burst blood vessel. When oxygen and nutrients can no longer reach parts of the brain, vital brain cells are damaged and may die.
What are the key statistics about strokes in Scotland?
Stroke is the 4th largest cause of death in Scotland, the single most common cause of adult disability, with around 9,100 new strokes per year, and around 1 in 4 stroke survivors will experience another within five years.
What does the FAST acronym stand for?
F - Face: can they smile or is one side drooping?
A - Arm: Can the person raise both arms? Is one weak?
S - Speech: Is their speech slurred or muddled?
T - Time to call 999
What are the common symptoms of a stroke?
Slurred speech or difficulty finding words, loss of or disturbed vision in one or both eyes, weakness/numbness/clumsiness/pins and needles on one side of the body (including drooping on one side of the face).
What is a TIA?
A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is often referred to as a ‘mini stroke’. The symptoms are very similar to those of a stroke, but they resolve completely and last no longer than 24 hours.
Why are TIAs important warning signs?
TIAs indicate problems with blood supply to the brain. The risk of suffering a stroke within the first month after a TIA is around 12%, with about half of all strokes occurring within the first 24 hours following a TIA.
How does brain control relate to the sides of the body?
The right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa. Therefore, a stroke on the right side of the brain will usually affect the left side of the body.
What are the main functions of the frontal lobe?
Voluntary movement, personality and voluntary behavior, emotional and impulse control, decision making and problem solving, planning and organizing, attention, and speech.
What are the main functions of the parietal lobe?
Processing sensations (touch, pressure, temperature, pain), body awareness, orientation and processing of visuo-spatial information, and number representation.
What are the main functions of the occipital lobe?
Sight and processing of visual information from the eyes.
What are the main functions of the limbic system?
Memory formation and storage, emotion regulation, feelings of motivation and reward, and processing of smells.
What are the main functions of the cerebellum?
Coordinating movement (muscle coordination and balance), posture, and learning of sequences.
What are the main functions of the brain stem?
Basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and sleep and alertness.
What are the main functions of the temporal lobe?
Learning and memory, visual memory, verbal memory, ability to process auditory information, ability to understand written and spoken language, and recognition and differentiation.
What are the two main types of stroke?
- Ischemic stroke
- Hemorrhagic stroke
What is an ischemic stroke?
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot, interrupting the brain’s blood supply. This causes brain cells to die from lack of oxygen and nutrients, creating an area of tissue death called an infarct.
What can cause blockages in ischemic stroke?
Blockages may be due to narrowed arteries from cholesterol deposits (arteriosclerosis), a clot forming in an artery (thrombosis), or a clot traveling from somewhere else and lodging in an artery (embolism).
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds. This prevents brain cells from receiving oxygen and nutrients, and pressure builds up in surrounding tissues causing swelling and further cell death.
What percentage of strokes are hemorrhagic?
About 15% of strokes are caused by hemorrhage.
What can cause hemorrhagic strokes?
Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by disorders affecting blood vessels, including long-standing high blood pressure and cerebral aneurysms (weak or thin spots on blood vessel walls).
What does the stroke bundle consist of?
The stroke bundle consists of: admission to a stroke unit within 1 day of stroke, swallow screening within 4 hours of admission, brain scan within 12 hours of admission, and aspirin prescription where appropriate within 1 day of admission.
Why is determining whether a stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic important?
The drug management is very different for each type of stroke, so it’s vital to establish whether the stroke was caused by a blockage or a bleed.
What is the purpose of a CT scan in stroke diagnosis?
A CT scan helps determine whether the stroke has been caused by insufficient blood flow (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).
When should a CT scan be performed for a stroke patient?
A CT scan should be carried out within 12 hours of the patient arriving at the hospital.
