What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a sudden onset of a neurological deficit that results when blood flow to that part of the brain is disrupted, causing tissue anoxia and death to brain cells.

Stroke Facts

• On average, someone in the US suffers a stroke every 40 seconds
• Each year around 630,000 people suffer a stroke for the first time and 185,000 have a recurrent attack
• Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the US

Effects of Stroke 

Stroke can effect both sides of the brain, meaning that there can be differing effects depending on where the stroke occurs.

Common Effects of Right Brain Stroke 

• Paralysis/weakness of the left side of the body
• Impairments in nonverbal communication 
• Spatial-perceptual difficulties
• Difficulty pronouncing speech sounds properly due to weakness in mouth and facial muscles
• Impulsivity 
• Decreased awareness
• Emotional Lability 
• Short attention span 
• Poor judgement 
• Short-term memory loss

Common Effects of Left Brain Stroke

• Paralysis/weakness of right side of the body 
• Communication problems 
• Cautious behavior
• Frustration
• Personality changes

Emotional Effects of Stroke 

• Depression 
• Apathy (lack of emotion)
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Crying
• Frustration
• Anger 
• Denial 

Cerebrovascular Accidents

There are two types of stroke that can occur, ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs from a blockage or reduction of blood flow in an artery that feeds that area of the brain. Blockage is from atherosclerosis or a blood clot. There are two main types of ischemic stroke: embolic and thrombotic. Embolic ischemic stroke is due to a blockage of blood supply to the brain caused by a clot or debris, while a thrombotic ischemic stroke occurs from damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply. The second type of stroke that can occur is a hemorrhagic stroke which results from bleeding within and around the brain, causing compression and tissue injury.

• Ischemic - Stroke is a blockage or reduction of blood flow in an artery that feeds that area of the brain. Blockage is from atherosclerosis or blood clot.
  • Embolic - a blockage of blood supply to the brain caused by a clot or debris.
  • Thrombotic - Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
• Hemorrhagic - stroke results from bleeding 
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Subdural hemorrhage
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage

FAST

• F - Facial droop
• A - Arm weakness
• S - Speech difficulties
• T - Time to call emergency

Stroke Risk Factors 

• Previous stroke or TIA
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Physical inactivity
• Older age (risk doubles every year after 55)
• Gender (women > men)
• Ethnicity (black, Hispanic, American Indians, Alaska natives at higher risk)

(Source: CDC)

Stroke Prevention

• Eat a healthy diet
• Be physically active
• Don’t smoke
• Limit alcohol use
• Prevent or treat health conditions (avoid risk factors from list above)