WHAT IS A STROKE?

WHAT CAUSES A STROKE?

• An obstruction in the blood flow to the brain
• Rupture of an artery that feeds the brain

2 MAIN TYPES OF STROKES

• 87% of strokes are Ischemic strokes-due to a blood clot
• An Ischemic stroke blocks the blood flow to the brain
• A Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures on the brains surface
• This rupture causes blood to fill the space between the brain and skull (subarachnoid space)
• Both result in a lack of blood flow and build up of blood that puts to much pressure on the brain

RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE

• Heavy alcohol use
• History of tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Family history of strokes

S/S OF STROKES

• Trouble walking, loss of balance and coordination
• Speech problems
• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis
• Sudden severe headache
• Blurred, blackened, or double vision

HOW IS A ISCHEMIC STROKE TREATED?

• The goal is to restore blood flow to the brain
• By using a blood clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator(tPA)
• A physician will inject tPA into the pt's arm
• In addition, cartoid endarterectomy and angioplasty are performed to open/widen arteries

HOW IS A HEMORRHAGIC STROKE TREATED?

• Surgical methods are used
• Aneurysm clipping
• Aneurysm embolisation
• Arteriovenous malformation removal

PREVENTING STROKES

• Knowing the S/S of a stroke
• Identifying and controlling blood pressure
• Treating diabetes properly
• Not smoking
• Lowering cholesterol, sodium, and fat intake

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STROKES CALL 1-800-STROKES