Ibrahim Syed
It is estimated that every two seconds one individual in the world experiences a stroke, which is usually an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke blocks the blood from transporting to the brain due, to a clot in the arteries. When a stroke occurs it can restrict body function by limiting muscle movement and speech. If a stroke receives medical care too late it can cause fatal permanent damage to the brain. The disease was founded in 1658 by Johann Jacob Wepfer. Jacob found two types of strokes that are referred to in medicine to this day. A stroke is a common disease, and in this paper, the root causes of the stroke, the process of a stroke as well as the different types, and common treatments and ways to recover will be discussed.
The stroke is commonly spread throughout the southeastern United States. “The disease is widespread among people of color as they have twice as high of a chance of experiencing a stroke” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (2022)”. The origin of a stroke can be resulting from genetic factors such as high blood pressure which is one of the main causes of a stroke. A stroke is also an acquired medical issue and is something that individuals are not born with. The two main causes of a stroke are an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke. During an ischemic stroke, the cause is a blood clot that narrows the arteries limiting blood supply to the brain or other organs of the body. The second cause of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke which is a bursting or bleeding of an artery in the brain. These two types of strokes both similarly affect patients however, the recovery from these two strokes differs. “Comparisons between recovery outcomes in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke have yielded mixed results: Some studies, mainly community- or acute hospital-based, have found comparable activity limitation and recovery, whereas others have found greater recovery after a hemorrhagic stroke”(Salvadori et al., 2020). Hemorrhagic strokes are more recoverable as studies show.
Discussed previously are the causes and areas of the occurrence of a stroke however the process of a stroke is much more complex. The process of a stroke occurs when blood flow stops being transported to the brain due, to a blood clot or the bursting of an artery. When blood flow to the brain is stopped the oxygen needed by neurons is not available leading the brain cells to die. Blood clots are formed when plaque or atherosclerosis is formed. Another way, blood clots form is an irregular heartbeat rhythm which makes platelets, fibrin, and clotting factors merge creating a blood clot. This blood clot is carried up the bloodstream until it reaches an artery where it cannot pass and creates an embolism. This will lead to the brain being affected due to the loss of oxygen and deprivation of many functions. If the area affected in the brain is controlling muscles, the movement of muscles may be slowed and unresponsive. The body will try to cope with the blocked artery by sending blood to the area. However, the cells in the brain that are not receiving oxygen continue to die. This is the process of strokes however, a stroke can occur in many different places. A stroke occurring in the lung is commonly referred to as a pulmonary embolism and the artery affected is connected to the lung. Similarly, a stroke occurring in the heart is referred to as an embolic stroke or a heart attack.
Strokes can greatly harm individuals however, there are ways to recover from them. A stroke is more easily recoverable when treated early and the later it is given attention the less chance an individual has of recovering. One of the main ways that a stroke can be treated is through an intravenous line containing TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator). “ If administered within 4.5 h of symptom onset, t-PA improves the outcome in stroke patients” (Henderson, S. J., Weitz, J. I., & Kim, P. Y. 2018). This medication helps break down the blood clot in the arteries making the blood flow again. If TPA cannot be given at the time the patient is usually given the second form of treatment known as endovascular thrombectomy. This treatment removes the blood clot from the arteries surgically. Another medication known as alteplase helps dissolve blood clots letting blood flow again.
In conclusion, a stroke is a major disease associated with artery-clogging resulting in dead cells. The root causes of the stroke are ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. A stroke occurs when blood flow is stopped due to blood clots and oxygen cannot be passed to the organs. A stroke can occur in the heart and lungs as well as the brain. Common treatments for a stroke include medications such as TPA and alteplase which help remove blood clots. If these medications cannot be used a surgical removal known as endovascular thrombectomy is utilized to remove the blood clot.
MCR Committee: Pathophysiology
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 5). Stroke facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm#:~:text=Stroke%20is%20a%20leading%20cause%20of%20death%20for%20Americans%2C%20but,of%20death%20due%20to%20stroke.
PY;, H. S. J. W. J. I. K. (n.d.). Fibrinolysis: Strategies to enhance the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Journal of thrombosis and hemostasis: JTH. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29953716/
Salvadori, E., Papi, G., Insalata, G., Rinnoci, V., Donnini, I., Martini, M., Falsini, C., Hakiki, B., Romoli, A., Barbato, C., Polcaro, P., Casamorata, F., Macchi, C., Cecchi, F., & Poggesi, A. (2020, December 28). Comparison between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in functional outcome at discharge from an Intensive Rehabilitation Hospital. Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland). Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7824133/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20general%20prognosis%20of,many%20different%20mechanisms%20%5B4%5D.