SLHS 580: 11/18 “Aging and Stroke”

Every __ seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.

40

Incidence and Prevalence of Stroke: Framingham Heart Study

High blood pressure (hypertension) = More likely to have stroke

Gender Differences in Stroke Prevalence

Rate in men = higher

After age 75, men and women have similar likelihoods, and at 80 women have slight increase.

Which demographic has the most incidence/ highest risk of stroke?

Rate of stroke for Mexican American’s is higher across all demographics.

During mid-life, do women or men have statistically fewer strokes?

Women

In women, risk of stroke as been found to increase after…

Menopause

CVA (cerebrovascular accidents) can be split into two categories;

1. Ischemic Strokes

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke

1. Ischemic Strokes: (BLOCKS) a blood clot blocks or “plugs” a blood vessel in the brain.

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: (BLEED) a blood vessel the brain breaks or ruptures

What causes hemorrhagic strokes?

• Weakness in vessel wall

• Traumatic injury

• Fluctuations in blood pressure

• Blood is neurotoxic to brain tissue

What are the two ways an ischemic stroke can occur?

1. Embolic Stroke

2. Thrombotic Stroke

—> Difference in how the blood vessel is blocked

Embolic Stroke

1. A blood clot (embolus) forms and travels through the bloodstream to the brain.

2. Once in the brain, the clot eventually travels to a blood vessel small enough to block its passage

3. The clot lodges there,

Thrombotic Stroke

Buildup of fatty deposits on the cell wall of the artery, impeding blood flow (can completely occlude an artery)

—This process leading to blockage is called “thrombosis”

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attacks)

• Temporary ischemia (not enough blood flow)

• Block is short-lived and typically no permanent damage (lasts less than 24 hours)

—> May be a warning sign of a stoke later in life