Symptoms And Treatment Of Hemorrhagic Stroke

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In the United States, 795,000 people will have their first or recurrent stroke. Studies show that 10% of strokes are secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage and another 3% are due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The frequency of stroke varies with age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. African Americans and Hispanics have the greatest threat of intracerebral hemorrhage and excess risk is mostly observed in young and middle aged people (Liebskind & O 'Connor,2015).
Pathophysiology
Both intercerebral hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke are terms that can be used interchangeably. When a patient is having a hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding occurs in the brain parenchyma. This is usually caused by leakage from tiny intercerebral arteries which are commonly damaged by hypertension. Other risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke are anticoagulant therapies, aneurysms, cerebral amyloidosis, and cocaine abuse. Although less common than ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes are responsible for about 40% of stroke deaths.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage stroke is caused by bleeding in the space between the brain and the skull. When blood is released into this space, there is an increase in pressure on the brain. Clotted blood, as a result of the bleed, can force the brain against the skull and cause it to shift and herniate. This cascade of events causes normal cerebral spinal fluid to be blocked causing dilation of ventricles.
Intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding within the brain tissue. Small arteries within the deep tissues of the brain rupture due to thin walls usually caused by hypertension. The blood collects and forms a hematoma. The hematoma causes pressu...

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...used on a potential stroke patient that may come into the hospital at anytime. The main goal of the NP 's care is to keep the rate of care moving at a fast pace to ensure that no time is wasted during the acute phase of a stroke.
A Stroke Nurse Practitioner can also be found in areas of both primary and secondary prevention where he or she makes certain that each patient is evaluated and preventative therapies are implemented. Such assessments include brain imaging, dysphagia and hypertension screening. In addition, this NP can act as a coordinator for stroke patients from admission to discharge by meeting with families and rehabilitation centers and providing information and resources to the post stroke patient. This NP is the gateway to educating the nursing staff in recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke and implementing the facilities stroke protocol.

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