Cerebrovascular Accidents and Strokes

Study flashcards on cerebrovascular accidents, stroke types, risk factors, and clinical signs.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A brief interruption of blood flow to the brain, often called a mini stroke, resolving within 24 hours and indicating higher risk for future strokes.

Ischemic Stroke

A type of stroke caused by a blockage of blood flow, often due to blood clots.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A type of stroke resulting from the rupture of a blood vessel, causing bleeding in or around the brain.

Embolus

A blood clot that has broken loose and traveled through the bloodstream.

Aneurysm

A weak area in a blood vessel wall that can rupture and cause hemorrhagic stroke.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Lifestyle or medical factors that can be changed to reduce the risk of stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet.

FAST (stroke assessment acronym)

Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to call emergency services.

Wernicke's Aphasia

A type of aphasia where individuals can speak fluently but their speech may lack meaning; they have difficulty understanding language.

Broca's Aphasia

A form of aphasia characterized by difficulty in speech production, with relatively preserved comprehension.

Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder resulting from impaired movement of the muscles used for speech.

Ataxia

A neurological sign that consists of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements.

Hypertension

Consistently high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT)

A rare form of stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain's venous sinuses, leading to increased pressure and possible hemorrhage.

Arm Drift

A sign of stroke where one arm drifts down when both arms are raised; often indicative of unilateral weakness.

Neglect

A condition often seen in stroke patients where they fail to notice one side of their body.

Visual Field Cut

A loss of vision in a part of the visual field, often one side, which may occur after a stroke.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

The medical term for a stroke, which includes both ischemic and hemorrhagic types.

Cardioembolic Stroke

A type of ischemic stroke caused by blood clots that travel from the heart to the brain.

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone leading to stiff or tight muscles; often seen in stroke patients.

Flaccidity

Decreased muscle tone resulting in limpness, often seen immediately after a stroke.