4 03 cardiovascular_disease

STROKE4.03 Cardiovascular Diseases

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WHAT IS A STROKE?

Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to the brain. This is usually caused by a blood clot in an artery or when a blood vessel is ruptured. When that happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage can occur.

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HEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, a head injury, or aneurysms.

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ANEURYSMS

Aneurysms are abnormal blood-filled pouches that balloon from weak spots. Hypertension or smoking may contribute to the formation of aneurysms.

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ISCHEMIC STROKE

Ischemic strokes are caused by a thrombus (blood clot that forms in the brain) or embolus (clot that forms somewhere in the body and travels to the brain.

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WARNING SIGNS

• numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

• confusion, or trouble talking or understanding speech

• trouble seeing in one or both eyes • trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or

coordination • severe headache with no known cause

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TREATABLE RISK FACTORS

• High blood pressure

• Cigarette smoking

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Being overweight or obese

• Physical inactivity

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TREATABLE RISK FACTORS

• Obstructive sleep apnea • Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm

• Use of some birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen

• Heavy or binge drinking

• Use of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines

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OTHER RISK FACTORS

• The risk of stroke most often occurs between the ages of 55 and 85

• Men have a higher risk of stroke than women

• Women have a higher chance of death from stroke than men

• African-Americans have higher risk of stroke than people of other races

• Family history of strokes

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PREVENTING A STROKE

• See a doctor about any of the treatable risk factors mentioned on slides 7 and 8

• Work on controlling high-risk behaviors such as smoking, heavy drinking, drugs, or physical inactivity

• If you have stroke once but recover, quickly seek medical help - a second stroke is likely to happen but worse

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TREATMENT FOR STROKES

Treatment for a stroke should take place in a hospital initially. The faster you are treated the better, to prevent permanent damage or death. Treatment will be different depending on whether you’ve had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The doctor will use a CT scan or MRI of your head to diagnose the type of stroke.

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TREATMENT FOR STROKES

• Ischemic Stroke:– Treatment focuses on restoring blood

flow– A medicine called tissue plasminogen

activator can break up blood clots– May also receive aspirin or another

antiplatelet medicine.

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TREATMENT FOR STROKES

• Hemorrhagic Stroke:– Treatment focuses on controlling bleeding

– If the bleeding is due to a ruptured brain aneurysm, surgery may be done

– Medicines may be given to control blood pressure, brain swelling, blood sugar levels, fever, and seizures

– Surgery may be needed to remove blood that has built up inside the brain and to lower pressure inside the head

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SUMMARY OF A STROKE

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REFERENCES

webmd.com. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/stroke/guide/stroke-treatment-care

(n.d.). Rosland | lab. [0]. Retrieved from http://www.strokegenomics.org/index.php?page=about-stroke-genetics

Images: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Video: Nucleus Medical Media