Stroke
Strokes are severe health events that are defined as a formation of a blood clot in the brain that starves a section of the brain. (National Stroke Association, 2016) When this occurs, it causes the tissue downstream of the blood vessel to die. The way these clots form by way of atherosclerosis. In short, it is the build-up of plaque and cholesterol in the blood vessels. This plaque then ruptures and causes a blood clot to form. In many cases the clot forms in another region of the body and travels to the smaller blood vessels in the brain and becomes lodged. (NSA, 2016)
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There are two main types of strokes that can occur. The first is known as an ischemic stroke. It occurs when a blockage occurs in a blood vessel that is carrying oxygenated blood to the brain. It is the more common form of a stroke with about 80% of stroke cases being ischemic. (NSA, 2016) The less common form of stroke is known as a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel bursts due to increased pressure. This results in bleeding in or around the brain. This type of stroke is much more difficult to treat and most of the time results in death. (NSA, 2016)
Strokes are common events in the United States. About 800,000 people experience a stroke each year. They also result in a high death toll in the United States with a death every four minutes due to a stroke. This can be translated as the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control, 2016) Like many severe health events, though, the damage caused by a stroke can be limited by reacting quickly and getting medical attention. To do this it is important to know the warning signs of a stroke. These can be learned easily through the acronym, FAST. (Patterson, 2016)
• Face- Face drooping of one side of the face can be a tell-tale sign of a stroke. It is important to have the person smile to effectively check for unevenness.
• Arms- Another symptom of a stroke is weakness and/or numbness of one arm. Lifting both arms can help determine this by seeing if it is difficult to lift or if they are unable to lift it.
• Speech- Slurred speech is a symptom of stroke that is easy to detect by having a person repeat themselves and note any differences in their speech pattern.
• Time- Time means that if a person possesses one or more of these symptoms, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.
These symptoms are common of ischemic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes entail more sudden symptoms that start with a very bad headache. From there, it is followed by nausea, dizziness, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion and in some cases seizures. (Patterson, 2016) By following this acronym and getting immediate help, you can help prevent serious complications that usually would result from a stroke. These complications range from temporary weakness to paralysis of one side of their body and speech loss. These disabilities are common with a stroke, with two-thirds of stroke victims having some sort of disability. This makes strokes the leading cause of adult paralysis in the United States. (Patterson, 2016)
Strokes are common events in the United States. About 800,000 people experience a stroke each year. They also result in a high death toll in the United States with a death every four minutes due to a stroke. This can be translated as the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control, 2016) Like many severe health events, though, the damage caused by a stroke can be limited by reacting quickly and getting medical attention. To do this it is important to know the warning signs of a stroke. These can be learned easily through the acronym, FAST. (Patterson, 2016)
• Face- Face drooping of one side of the face can be a tell-tale sign of a stroke. It is important to have the person smile to effectively check for unevenness.
• Arms- Another symptom of a stroke is weakness and/or numbness of one arm. Lifting both arms can help determine this by seeing if it is difficult to lift or if they are unable to lift it.
• Speech- Slurred speech is a symptom of stroke that is easy to detect by having a person repeat themselves and note any differences in their speech pattern.
• Time- Time means that if a person possesses one or more of these symptoms, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.
These symptoms are common of ischemic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes entail more sudden symptoms that start with a very bad headache. From there, it is followed by nausea, dizziness, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion and in some cases seizures. (Patterson, 2016) By following this acronym and getting immediate help, you can help prevent serious complications that usually would result from a stroke. These complications range from temporary weakness to paralysis of one side of their body and speech loss. These disabilities are common with a stroke, with two-thirds of stroke victims having some sort of disability. This makes strokes the leading cause of adult paralysis in the United States. (Patterson, 2016)
Centers for Disease Control. (2016, May 5). Stroke information. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/
National Stroke Association. (2016, January 1). What is stroke? Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke
Patterson, D. (2016, July 3). Stroke information & resource guide. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
ACLS Training Center website: https://www.acls.net/stroke-information-and-resources.htm
Young, Marr, & Associates. (2015, January 1). Disabling health effects caused by stroke [Image].
Retrieved from https://91924674-172117005765126620.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/9/1/9/2/
91924674/stroke-diagram.jpg?360
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/
National Stroke Association. (2016, January 1). What is stroke? Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke
Patterson, D. (2016, July 3). Stroke information & resource guide. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
ACLS Training Center website: https://www.acls.net/stroke-information-and-resources.htm
Young, Marr, & Associates. (2015, January 1). Disabling health effects caused by stroke [Image].
Retrieved from https://91924674-172117005765126620.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/9/1/9/2/
91924674/stroke-diagram.jpg?360