Understanding Cerebral Vascular Accidents: Causes and Consequences

Cerebral Vascular Accidents

Definition of a CVA

A stroke is a serious occurrence that is considered to be a medical emergency, according to CDC.gov. Strokes happen when either a blood clot in the brain blocks blood flow carrying vital oxygen, or a blood vessel breaks within the brain and oxygen does not arrive at specified locations. (CDC.gov/Stroke Fact Sheet) Oxygen is imperative for brain function. According to CDC.gov, the brain utilizes approximately twenty percent of the body’s oxygen intake; without a continuous intake of oxygen, brain cells begin to die. According to stroke.org, every single minute before a stroke can be treated, an estimated 1.9 million neurons are lost, which is why it is important to know the signs and symptoms of

a stroke or CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident).
Signs and Symptoms of a CVA
Stroke.org discusses the signs and symptoms to look for when a CVA occurs. When any of these occur, they are very sudden and abrupt. (Stroke.org) Symptoms may include: one-sided numbness or weakness in parts of the body including the face and appendages, trouble talking or understanding with confusion, problems seeing with one or both eyes, having a hard time walking, loss of coordination and dizziness, and having a severe headache. (Stroke.org) CDC.gov has an acronym to go by if you think that someone is having a CVA. FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. (CDC.gov) For face, see if the person can smile. If only one side can smile, continue to the next step. For Arms, ask them to raise both arms. If one arm droops down, proceed to Speech. If the person cannot repeat a phrase or has slurring of speech, continue to Time and call 911 right away. (CDC.gov) The faster a patient can receive treatment for a CVA, the better chance at recovery and damage prevention. CDC.gov states that patients need to get medical help within three hours of a CVA in order to receive the best treatment.
Pathogeneses of a CVA
There are ways to help prevent a stroke, including changes in lifestyle. CDC.gov promotes eating healthy, keeping a healthy weight, exercising, not smoking, and not drinking much alcohol if any. Other medical conditions, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease may contribute to raising the risk of a stroke, as discussed by CDC.gov.
Body Changes as a Result of a CVA
There can be many changes to the body after a stroke occurs. Stroke.org discusses these changes, including: tiredness and fatigue, problems swallowing, movement and balance issues, headaches, issues with behavior and communication, emotional changes, issues with memory and how one thinks, problems with vision, and differences with taste and smell. It can be difficult recovering from a CVA, thus support from family members and friends can assist on the road to recovery.
Affected Body Systems of a CVA
CVAs have the ability to affect many systems in the human body.

The brain and nervous system is probably the system that is hit the hardest when this happens. Issues with many of the activities of the brain may occur, including things like memory and coordination. (stroke.org) The cardiovascular system may be affected as well, as blood clots or an aneurysm are usually the cause of a stroke. (CDC.gov) Another system that may be affected by a CVA is the urinary system as a victim may become incontinent afterwards. (CDC.org) Because coordination can be affected, the muscular/skeletal systems may be involved also if a patient needs assistance walking or with controlling movements in various tasks. (CDC.org)

Economic Impact of CVAs

In the United States, about every 40 seconds, a stoke takes place. (strokeassociation.org) Approximately 795,000 Americans will have a stroke each year, out of those, about 129,000 will die from this disease. (strokeassociation.org) Of these statistics, about 40 percent of deaths due to a stroke will occur in males and about 60 percent in females. (strokeassociation.org)

Conclusion

CVAs are a very prevalent cause of disability and death. They may strike at any age or in any ethnicity. It is vital that help is received in a timely matter when one is suffering a stroke in order to better the chances of survival and

recovery.

References
Stroke. (2016). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

Stroke Fact Sheet. (2015). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_stroke.htm

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. (2014). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/recognizing-stroke/signs-and-symptoms-stroke

What problems do people have after a stroke? (2015). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-stroke/what-problems-do-people-have-after-stroke

Impact of Stroke (Stroke statistics). (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/Impact-of-Stroke-Stroke-statistics_UCM_310728_Article.jsp#.Vwx0Mo-cGUk