Stroke (not done)

What are the three major types of stroke?

Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA)

What causes an ischemic stroke?

Interruption of blood flow to the brain due to an arterial clot

What are the two types of acute ischemic stroke?

Non-cardioembolic and cardioembolic

What is a non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke?

A thrombus forms within a cerebral artery due to atherosclerosis; clot originates in the brain

What is a cardioembolic ischemic stroke?

An embolus forms in the heart and travels to the brain

What is the most common cause of cardioembolic stroke?

Atrial fibrillation

What is a hemorrhagic stroke?

Bleeding into the brain

What are the two major types of hemorrhagic stroke?

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

A temporary clot blocks blood flow to the brain causing stroke-like symptoms without permanent damage

How long do TIA symptoms typically last?

Minutes to a few hours with no permanent damage

Why is a TIA clinically important?

It is a warning sign for acute ischemic stroke and requires the same risk reduction strategies

What are the most important modifiable risk factors for stroke?

Hypertension (most important), atrial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, diabetes, physical inactivity, and smoking

What are the major non-modifiable risk factors for stroke?

Prior stroke or TIA, advanced age, African American race, and genetic diseases (e.g., sickle cell disease)

What is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke?

Hypertension

Why is rapid recognition and treatment of stroke critical?

Brain tissue is rapidly lost as stroke progresses ("time is brain")

What does F.A.S.T. stand for?

Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911

How do you assess the "Face" component of F.A.S.T.?

Ask the person to smile and look for facial droop, numbness, or an uneven smile

How do you assess the "Arm" component of F.A.S.T.?

Ask the person to raise both arms and look for one arm drifting downward

How do you assess the "Speech" component of F.A.S.T.?

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and check for slurred or incorrect speech

When should 911 be called for suspected stroke?

Immediately if any F.A.S.T. symptom is present, even if symptoms resolve