Stroke | New Horizons
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Stroke

What is it?

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), also known as Stroke, is when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

Facts

  • The loss of blood to the brain means a loss of oxygen and the brain cells become injured and die
  • Strokes are classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic
  • Can impair many body functions and the functions that are affected depend directly on the other artery that is involved and the areas of the brain that blood is supplied to and from that artery

Statistics

  • On average, 1 American dies from Stroke every 4 minutes
  • Stroke kills almost 130,000 Americans each year - that's 1 out of every 20 deaths
  • Every year, more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke
  • About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes
  • About 185,000 strokes - nearly 1 in 4 - are in people who have had a previous stroke

Rapid assessment and transport are very important.
There is a three hour window from onset of symptoms to therapy.

Signs of CVA

  • Weakness
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Trouble speaking
  • Headache

Types of Stroke

Cerebral Thrombosis

  • Most common type of CVA
  • Commonly occurs at night with clients awakening with loss of speech, sensory, or motor functions
  • Headaches are not common with this type of CVA
  • Usually associated with vessel disease

Cerebral Hemorrhage

  • Accounts for 10% of all CVAs
  • Can occur anywhere in the cranial vault
  • Most common causes are
    • Cerebral aneurysms
    • Arteriovenous malformations
    • Hypertension
  • 50-80% death rate
  • Commonly occurs during stress or exertion
  • Presentation is often abrupt
  • Client will show signs of Cushing's reflex

Cerebral Embolus

  • Embolus generally originates in the neck or heart and travels until it reaches the brain
  • Most common types of Embolus are: clotted blood, air bubbles, tumor fragments or fat particles
  • Symptoms usually occur when the client is awake and active
  • Headache is common with this type of CVA

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

  • Referred to as little or mini stroke
  • Symptoms usually last 24-71 hours then resolve
  • Precursor to CVA within 2 years of onset of TIA
Stroke

Assessment and Screening

Prehospital stroke screening

  • Check for facial drooping
  • Have the client smile or show teeth
  • Have the client say a phrase to see if there is any abnormal speech pattern
Stroke

Assessment

  • Have client close her/his eyes
  • Have client hold her/his arms out for 10 seconds
Stroke

F.A.S.T.

FACE

Check their face. Has their mouth dropped?

ARMS

Can they lift both arms?

SPEECH

Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

TIME

Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 911 now.

Stroke

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