Stroke: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
A '''stroke''' (''syn. Cerebral Vascular Accident or "CVA"'') is a sudden, often focal, loss of brain function due to an interruption in the [[blood]] supply to all or part of the [[brain]] <ref name="hatano1976">{{cite journal | last=Hatano | first=S | journal=Bull World Health Organ | year=1976 | volume=54 | issue=5 | pages=541-53 title=Experience from a multicentre stroke register: a preliminary report}}</ref>. Loss of brain function occurs when neurons loose their oxygen supply. This is often due to a disturbance in cerebral [[perfusion]]. There are many different causes for the interruption of blood supply, and different parts of the brain can be affected. Because of this, strokes can have many different clinical presentations. | A '''stroke''' (''syn. Cerebral Vascular Accident or "CVA"'') is a sudden, often focal, loss of brain function due to an interruption in the [[blood]] supply to all or part of the [[brain]] <ref name="hatano1976">{{cite journal | last=Hatano | first=S | journal=Bull World Health Organ | year=1976 | volume=54 | issue=5 | pages=541-53 title=Experience from a multicentre stroke register: a preliminary report}}</ref>. Loss of brain function occurs when neurons loose their oxygen supply. This is often due to a disturbance in cerebral [[perfusion]] (blood flow to the brain). There are many different causes for the interruption of blood supply, and different parts of the brain can be affected. Because of this, strokes can have many different clinical presentations. | ||
Stroke is a [[medical emergency]] and can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the third leading cause of [[death]] and the leading cause of '''adult''' disability in the [[United States]] and industrialized [[European]] nations. On average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies from a stroke every 3 minutes.{{fact}} | Stroke is a [[medical emergency]] and can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the third leading cause of [[death]] and the leading cause of '''adult''' disability in the [[United States]] and industrialized [[European]] nations. On average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies from a stroke every 3 minutes.{{fact}} | ||
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The term "'''brain attack'''" has been advocated fo use in the United States for stroke, just as the term "heart attack" is used for [[Myocardial Infarction|myocardial infarction]], where a cutoff of blood causes [[necrosis]] to the tissue of the [[heart]]. Many hospitals have multidisciplinary "stroke teams" specifically for swift treatment of stroke. | The term "'''brain attack'''" has been advocated fo use in the United States for stroke, just as the term "heart attack" is used for [[Myocardial Infarction|myocardial infarction]], where a cutoff of blood causes [[necrosis]] to the tissue of the [[heart]]. Many hospitals have multidisciplinary "stroke teams" specifically for swift treatment of stroke. | ||
==Types of stroke== | ==Types of stroke== | ||
Revision as of 10:22, 28 April 2007
Overview
A stroke (syn. Cerebral Vascular Accident or "CVA") is a sudden, often focal, loss of brain function due to an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain [1]. Loss of brain function occurs when neurons loose their oxygen supply. This is often due to a disturbance in cerebral perfusion (blood flow to the brain). There are many different causes for the interruption of blood supply, and different parts of the brain can be affected. Because of this, strokes can have many different clinical presentations. Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and industrialized European nations. On average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies from a stroke every 3 minutes.Template:Fact
Risk factors include advanced age,hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, migraine with aura, and thrombophilia. Cigarette smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.
The term "brain attack" has been advocated fo use in the United States for stroke, just as the term "heart attack" is used for myocardial infarction, where a cutoff of blood causes necrosis to the tissue of the heart. Many hospitals have multidisciplinary "stroke teams" specifically for swift treatment of stroke.
Types of stroke
Strokes can be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes can be due to thrombosis, embolism, or generalized cerebral hypoperfusion. Lacunae, or small vessel strokes, are responsible for about 20% of all strokes and are common in diabetes mellitus. Hemorrhage can be due to intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage subdural hemorrhageand epidural hemorrhage. ~80% of strokes are due to ischemia. [2]