Stroke

     The most common causes of strokes are thrombosis. This is when a clot forms in one of the arteries, mostly in the carotid in the neck and the vertebral artery. The blood is thick and moves very slowly through the artery. The thrombus will form on the damaged area of the artery wall and will cut off the flow of blood to the brain. The area of the artery that is damaged is cause by arteriosclerosis. This form of

Strokes are caused by a block in the blood supply to the brain which causes a decrease in oxygen and delivery of other important supplies which facilitate proper functioning. Fifteen million cases are reported worldwide annually, although not all of these cases are mortalities, the large prevalence of strokes ranks it as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (Figueroa) Because of the time sensitivity associated with the lack of resources to the brain, strokes are considered a medical emergency and early recognition of symptoms can help decrease the amount of damage caused . Although strokes do not always cause death, strokes most often leave the individual with some physical and cognitive impairment.

Modern medical advancements have significantly decreased the prevalence and severity of infectious disease as well as the treatment of acute, traumatic conditions. Pharmacological research has also gained insight into the management of chronic disease. Still, there is an epidemic of chronic, treatable diseases like stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Hypertension proves to be the underlying factor associated with these diseases. Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because of its indication in deadly disease, and the importance of monitoring ones blood pressure is vital. Lifestyle, diet, and genetic predisposition are all factors of high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure above safe levels, known as hypertension, puts elevated physical stress on the renal and cardiovascular systems. By controlling this factor in patients, healthcare providers can decrease cardiovascular events, improve health outcomes, and decrease overall mortality. Patient education is often overlooked in its role in the control and prevention of high blood pressure. This paper analyzes the causes and physiology behind high blood pressure as they relate to the current nursing interventions. The role of nurses is discussed in relation to patient education regarding high blood pressure, and educational approaches are analyzed.

Losing weight is another way that a stroke can be prevented. Maintaining a normal body weight or a BMI less than 25 is ideal to help prevent a stroke. If overweight, losing 10 pounds can help prevent a stroke. Consuming a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can help with losing or maintaining a healthy weight. Physical activity is important in promoting health and preventing diseases. Exercising five time a week assists in losing weight and decreasing high blood pressure which can help prevent the risk of a stroke (Newlin, 2014).

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has become a major risk factor for several types of heart disease across the globe. In the United States alone, nearly 70 million adults have been diagnosed with this condition [1]. Hypertension is a condition in which arterial walls experience extreme force from blood flowing through; long-term force against artery walls will lead to more serious health problems such as stroke, renal failure, and other cardiovascular diseases [2]. If the proper steps to treat hypertension are not taken, patients have a high risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that causes arteries to harden significantly. Smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol consumption, and high sodium intake are factors that may cause an individual to be diagnosed with hypertension [3] Detection of hypertension is crucial in order to reduce the incidence of death by cardiovascular disease [1].

A stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the cerebral arteries, those blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when one of those blood vessels in the brain is obstructed or ruptures flooding the brain with blood. Depriving blood and oxygen to the brain results in those immediate cells death, causing the brain not to function properly. Once parts of the brain stop functioning, it can directly affect the areas of the body controlled (1).

It is important that the type of stroke is diagnosed quickly to reduce the damage done to the brain and also to determine the right type of treatment because one treatment for one kind of stroke can be harmful to someone who has had a different kind. A number of different medications may be given at the hospital to help break up the clot and prevent the formation of new clots. For Ischemic stroke the treatment can begin with drugs to break down clots and prevent further ones from forming. Aspirin can be given, along with an injection of a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). TPA works by dissolving clots but it needs to be injected within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms once they have presented themselves. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment can begin with drugs being given to reduce the pressure in the brain, overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels.(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117296) Because strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. After a stroke,

Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the silent killer (Aycock, Kirkendoll, & Gordon, 2013). Today it is a public health problem. According to the American Heart Association 2013 Statistical Fact Sheet (2013), one out of every three adults has high blood pressure, which is estimated at 77.9 million people (AHA, 2013). High blood pressure is also referred to as hypertension. Hypertension is a prevalent medical condition that carries with it the risk factor for increased chances of heart disease and stroke (Gillespie & Hurvitz, 2013). Hypertension remains one of the top 10 causes of worldwide disability-adjusted life years (as cited in Drenjančević-Perić et al., 2011). For the estimated 348, 102 deaths in 2009, high blood pressure was listed as the primary or contributing cause of death (AHA, 2013). Despite the health risk associated with hypertension, the diagnoses of high blood pressure continue to rise. By 2030, hypertension is expected to increase by 7.2% from 2013 estimates (AHA, 2013).

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause. It may involve taking blood-thinning medicine, such as aspirin, to reduce the risk of stroke. It may also involve lifestyle changes, such as:

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for both Florida and the United States (Centers for disease control, 2017). High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is known as the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Hypertension damages blood vessels in the organs, reducing their ability to work properly (National institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases, 2016). About 1 of 3 U.S. adults—or about 75 million people—have high blood pressure. Only 54% of these people have their high blood pressure under control (Centers for disease control, 2017). Hypertension education, which focuses on controlling the disease with medication, diet, and losing weight, is important in preventing or delaying the progression of serious complications. Most people diagnosed with hypertensive disease will need to see a medical professional who will recommend lifestyle changes to help you control and prevent high blood pressure (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2006, p. 1742).

At least half of stroke survivors are left with some form of permanent disability whether it is physical, cognitive, emotional, social or vocational. A third of people who sustain a stroke remain dependent on others for their care. Many stroke survivors report a decreased level of participation in leisure activities. Engagement in leisure activity is the primary predictor of wellbeing. Occupational therapists are key healthcare professionals working with individuals post-stroke. The main role of occupational therapy is to facilitate post-stroke survivors to engage in meaningful occupations. Going outside and, if possible, driving increased re-engagement in leisure activities. Patients all realized that they now have limitations, which inhibit engagement in leisure. Stroke survivors studied all recognized a need for support to re-engage in leisure activities. An optimistic view toward the future improved their satisfaction in their levels of leisure activity. It is important to engage individual’s past, present and future leisure occupations and remember that these can enhance health, wellbeing and quality of life for stroke survivors. Healthcare professionals need to focus on the transfer of learning to the home setting and social context of recovery rather than improvement in discrete physical body function and body structures alone.

The initial signs of acute stroke on nonenhanced CT are subtle but signs that may be visible would include: loss of distinction between white and grey mater, hypodensities in the brain parenchyma, loss of appearance of sulcal markings on surface of the brain and obscured delineation of basel ganglia. The presence of hyerdensity in a main artery may imply thrombus in a main cerebral artery. In the absence of contrast this sign has a high specificity but a low sensitivity for middle cerebral artery occlusion. Overall a nonenhanced CT brain in acute stroke has a sensitivity as low as 26%.

The elevated blood glucose levels can lead to long-term complications, especially, in the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.

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

Approximately one in every three adult’s ages 20 years old and older are diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension affects 78 million people in the United States and is equally prevalent in both men and woman (Crabtree et al., 2013). Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Hajjar & Kotchen, 2003). It can lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, heart failure, neurological issues, and death if not detected early and not treated properly (James, Oparil, Carter, & et al., 2014). Approximately 9.4 million deaths in 2010 were attributed to high blood pressure (Angell, De Cock, & Frieden, 2015). About 54% of strokes, 47% of coronary heart disease, and 25 % of other cardiovascular diseases are attributed to high blood pressure (Arima, Barzi, & Chalmers, 2011).