Understanding Strokes

Table of Contents

Definition 2

General Information 3

Types

Ischemic Stroke 4

Hemorrhagic Stroke 5

Stroke Warning Signs .6

Risk Factors

Treatable Risk Factors 7

How a CVA is Diagnosed 8

Medical Treatment

Emergency and Rehabilitation .9

Prevention and Prognosis 10

Effects of Stroke 11

Common Problems and Complications 12

Statistics 13

Cost Of Stroke to the United States 14

Final Data for 2000 14

Key Terms 15

Definition

A cerebrovascular accident more commonly known as a stroke or brain attack is the term used to describe the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow. In order to woke the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. This supply is carried to the brain by blood through the arteries. If part of the brain is deprived of blood for longer than a few seconds brain cells can die. A stroke causes loss of function, sometimes permanently, in the part of the body that is controlled by the damaged part of the brain.

General Information

A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain burst spilling blood into the space surrounding brain cells, or when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked thus a stroke is known as a cerebrovascular accident (¡§cerebro¡¨ refers to a part of the brain ¡§vascular¡¨ refers to the blood vessels and arteries.) In the same way that a person suffering a loss of blood flow to the heart is said to be having a heart attack, a person with a loss of blood flow to the brain or sudden bleeding in the brain can be said to be having a ¡§brain attack.¡¨

Blood flow to the brain tissue can be hampered in two ways, one the vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain. Hemorrhagic is the term used to describe bleeding into the brain or the spaces surrounding the brain. In the second the vessel clogs within Ischemic is the term used to describe the blockage of blood flow and loss of oxygen and nutrients for brain cells.

Blood clots are the most common cause of artery blockage. The process of clotting is necessary and beneficial through out the body because it stops bleeding and allows repair of damaged areas of arteries or veins. However when blood clots develop in the wrong place within the artery they can cause devastating injury by interfering with the normal flow of blood. Clots mo...

... middle of paper ...

...caused by stress and strain on joints and muscles, especially in the back and shoulders.

Complications after a stroke

„« Pressure sores

„« Pneumonia

„« Bladder infections

„« Blood clots in the legs

„« Permanent loss of movement

„« Bone fractures

„« Joint contractures

„« Muscle spasticity

„« Disruption of communication

„« Decreased ability to function, or care for self

„« Decreased life span

„« Side effects of medications

Stroke Statistics

Cost of Stroke to the United States.

Total cost of stroke to the United States; estimated at about $43 Billion a year.

Direct cost for medical care and therapy; estimated at bout $28 Billion a year

Indirect cost from lost productivity and other factors; estimated at about $15 Million a year.

Average cost of care for a patient up to 90 days after a stroke $15,000*

For 10% of patients, cost of care for the first 90 days after a stroke $35,000*

Percentage of direct cost of care for the first 90 days

„« Initial Hospitalization 43%

„« Rehabilitation 16%

„« Physician cost 14%

„« Medication and other expenses 13%

Americans will pay about $51 Billion in 2003 for stroke related medical costs and disability.