Stroke
Causes
Emergency aid
Causes
- Stroke is caused by the death of brain cells as a result of interruption of blood fl ow to them, causing permanent disability.
- 80% occur as a consequence of ischaemia, caused either by a thrombus formed inside a cerebral artery as a result of arteriosclerosis, or an embolism formed elsewhere in the body and carried to the brain.
- 20% of strokes are accounted for by intracerebral haemorrhage due to rupture of a blood vessel, producing a clot displacing normal brain tissue and disrupting function.
- Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs, ‘ministrokes’) last between a few minutes and a few hours, followed by complete recovery.
- Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and accounts for 12% of all deaths.
- Incidence increases markedly with age, and each year about 3% of the population over the age of 70 suffer a stroke.
- Stroke affects women more than men in a ratio of 2:1. Symptoms and warning signs
- diffi culty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia)
- diffi culty walking
- vertigo
- numbness, paralysis or weakness, usually on one side of the body
- seizure (relatively rare)
- severe headache
- sudden confusion
- sudden decrease in the level of consciousness
- sudden loss of balance or coordination
- sudden vision problems (e.g. blurred vision, blindness in one eye)
- vomiting.
Emergency aid
- For someone who is conscious:
- lay the individual down with head and shoulders slightly raised and supported. Incline the patient’s head to one side and place a towel or cloth on the shoulder to absorb any dribbling
- dial 999 for an ambulance.
- If unconscious:
- maintain an open airway, and be prepared to resuscitate if necessary
- loosen any clothing that might impede breathing
- call an ambulance
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