Stroke also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cerebrovascular insult (CVI), or a brain

A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood

It is “a sudden loss of function resulting from disruption of the blood supply to a part of a brain” (Hincle & Cheever, 2014). The type of stroke Patient S experienced was assumed to be from hyperlipidemia. An atherosclerotic plaque can form in the large blood vessels in the brain. When the plaque become big enough, it can rupture or a small bit may break off and flow into small arteries, which may block the smaller artery. If the artery is occluded, blood cannot flow to certain parts of the brain and an ischemic stroke can occur. Hypertension is a major risk for strokes as well as atrial fibrillation. These diseases increase the risk of an emboli or plaque

The long term effects of a stroke are different from person to person. If the right side of the brain was damaged the left side of the body will be affected and if the right side of the brain is damaged the left side of the body will be affected, also the left side damage to the brain will affect Speech, Balance, Vision and breathing ("Treatment - Stroke - Mayo Clinic," 2015). Extensive therapies are require after a stroke these are physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. There is also rehabilitation services through in home care, hospitals or skilled nursing facility’s depending on the circumstances. Counseling is available to help cope with the new changes happening to the inside and outside of the body ("Treatment - Stroke - Mayo Clinic," 2015). There are a few alternative treatments available to they are not approves by the food and drug administration ("Stroke Alternative Treatments," 2013). Some of these natural therapies would include aromatherapy, massage therapy and yoga, these help reduce stress and relax the mind and body ("Stroke Alternative Treatments," 2013). Some patients controlled their diet by taking notice of the amount of cholesterol that they were taking in from foods they were eating ("Stroke Alternative Treatments,"

Stroke previously known as Cerebrovascular accident is well-defined as ‘an abrupt cessation of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels distributing the brain. Due to the interruption or diminish of oxygen supply causes serious damage or necrosis in the brain tissues (Jauch, Kissella & Stettler, 2005). There is a presence of one or more symptoms such as weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking or swallowing, dizziness, loss of balance, loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes and headache. Stoke is categorised into two types, Ischaemic and haemorrhagic

A CVA occurs when a part of the brain is damaged or destroyed due to an interruption of blood flow to the area resulting in brain cell death (Martini, Nath & Bartholomew 2015 pp. 496-470).There are two main types of a CVA, Ischaemic stroke and Haemorrhagic stroke (AIHW 2013). The most common cause of stroke is ischaemic, which can be caused by embolism/thrombosis (AIHW 2013). An embolism/thrombosis occurs when there is a clot in an artery or vein, which stops blood flow to the brain (AIHW 2013). A haemorrhagic stroke is when an artery ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue (AIHW 2013). This form of stroke occurs when blood pools and forms a clot therefore putting pressure on the area of the brain depriving it of oxygen and nutrients it needs to remain healthy (AIHW 2013).

There are different types of stroke that a person can suffer from. One is called Ischemic Stroke, this happens when arteries that go to the brain become small or blocked. Common types of Ischemic stroke would be called Thrombotic stroke, when a blood clot is in one of the artery leading to the brain and the other is Embolic stroke, this is when a clot or debris are formed in the body and taken through the blood stream into a narrow

Sometimes known as a brain attack, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops. Brain cells immediately start to die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients they need to function. There are two types of strokes. The most common type, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind of stroke, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans ("What You Need to Know About Stroke," 2013). In fact, according to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year ("Stroke Facts," 2015). A stroke can cause great damage in the brain and lead to mild or severe

Often times, doctors will typically call a stroke a “brain attack” because the events that transpire resemble those that occur during a heart attack (Wang and Aamodt, 2010). Blood supplies a constant source of oxygen to the brain. However, a stroke occurs when that blood supply to any given part of the brain is suddenly ceased. If the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted this leads to the deprivation of oxygen and glucose to that area. The brain cells that are prevented from acquiring these substances, especially oxygen, will be quickly killed off. Strokes can be categorized into two classes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes (Lindley, 2008).

A stroke is a condition which is characterised as loss of brain functioning due to an interruption in the blood flow to the brain (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 5). There are two types of strokes, ischaemic and hemorrhagic strokes (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 6). Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). This type of stroke occurs due to an insufficient flow of blood to the brain, which is usually caused by an artery blockage (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). Hemorrhagic strokes are due to hypertension and may be caused by medical problems or blood vessel abnormalities (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). The strokes severity and location of the brain that is affected determines the impact of the stroke in an individual (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013).(Gomes, 2013)

Cerebrovascular disease is “any abnormality of the brain caused by a pathologic process in the blood vessels.” (McCance, 2015) Aneurysms and strokes or cerebrovascular accidents encompass this category. There are three categories of strokes: ischemic (thrombotic or embolic), global hypoperfusion, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Thrombotic strokes are caused by arterial occlusions from blood clots formed in the arteries supplying the brain or in the intracranial vessels (McCance, 2015). The development of blood clots or thrombi in the venous channels of the brain is called cerebral thrombosis. Cerebral thrombosis is mostly ascribed to atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease processes that damage arterial walls. Inadequate cerebral perfusion creates damage in the arterial walls where platelets and fibrin attach to forming a thrombus. “Portions of the clot detach and travel up the vessel to distant sites where occlusion occurs, producing a stroke syndrome.” (McCance, 2015) An embolic stroke occurs when a fragment that breaks from a thrombus outside of the brain occludes a cranial artery, usually the middle cerebral artery.

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

In many cases, strokes can be diagnosed, prevented and treatable. Symptoms of a stroke can occur quickly and may cause: sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body. Sudden: vision changes, trouble speaking (slurred speech), confusion or trouble understanding simple statements, problems with walking or balance, severe headache. It's recommended to call a doctor or 911 even if these symptoms last for a short amount of time because a transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke may have occurred. The transient ischemic attack may be a precursor to a stroke occurring soon. Catching these symptoms can dramatically increase chances of prevention additional damage to the body (2).

Stroke: A more mechanical term for stroke is Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA). The term stroke itself is not clearly defined and is not a precise medical term. In simple terms, stroke ‘suffocates’ brain tissue and often produces an area of dead or dying brain tissue. A stroke always occurs in the brain and is the most common type of cerebrovascular disease. The most frequently encountered of the cerebrovascular diseases is the Cerebrovascular accident (CVA). It was earlier called apoplexy or an apoplectic attack and is now commonly referred to as stroke. Medically speaking a stroke is a “focal neurological disorder of abrupt development due to a pathological process in blood vessels” (J. N. Walton, 1994).

A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to the brains. This can be due to a clot in an artery or an artery in the brain bursts open. A mini stroke or a transient ischemic attack is an example of a stroke due to a clot, but the clot only briefly blocks the artery, which can cause stroke-like symptoms, however, they only last about 24 hours (40). These mini strokes can be a warning sign for a full stroke to come. A full stroke due to a clot is called an ischemic stroke. This is due to plaque buildup in arteries (41). Lastly, a hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain burst open. This is most commonly cause by high blood pressure, which can weaken the strength of the arteries (41). Symptoms of strokes depend on severity of the clot of hemorrhage, which side of the brain is affected, and for how long blood flow was interrupted. The major signs of strokes, are slurred speech, one side of the face drooping, one arm not being able to move. All types of strokes including mini strokes are considered medical emergencies and require immediate first aid and often operations. Diagnosis are often made very quickly once a person goes to the hospital. The first actions to help the person is to stabilize the patient, which would include monitoring breathing, blood pressure, and bleeding. Then, the patient would go up for a CT scan to see where the hemorrhage or clot is in the brain (41). If the patient has a

In Ireland there is a very high incidence of stroke with around 10,000 people a year having a stroke. Approximately 2,000 people die each year as a result and approximately 30,000 people within the Irish community are suffering with a disability as a result of stroke. (Irish Heart Foundation, 2011) This essay will discuss the topic of stroke, outlining the pathology of the disorder and discussing the recovery process. There are two major categories which stroke is divided into: Ischemic, which is the cause of 85% of strokes and Haemorrhagic, which causes 15%. In ischemic stroke, vascular occlusion and hypoperfusion occur, while in haemorrhagic stroke there is extravasation of blood into the brain or subarachnoid space. (Hinkle and Guanci, 2007). There are some similarities between the two, however differences exist in aetiology, pathophysiology and medical and surgical management. The causes and effects of each of the categories of stroke will be discussed and compared and the treatment and process of recovery will be described.