PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Precipitating Factors:

VASOCONSTRICTION Predisposing Factors:

Hypertension
Hyperlipidemia
Life style (sedentary)
Diabetes Mellitus
Vices (Alcohol, smoke)
Heart Diseases
Age
Atherosclerosis
Diet
Arteriosclerosis
Sex
Thrombosis Severe
dehydration
Blockage of the blood vessel Heredity
Self-medication
Embolism

Lack of oxygen &

nutrients supply Ischemic High blood pressure, smoking, heart

diseases, diabetes, narrowing of
Stroke arteries supplying the brain, high
cholesterol and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Hypoxia Subarachnoid
Cerebral Ischemia
Hemorrhage High blood pressure, smoking, and a
family history of burst aneurysms.
Cytotoxic Attack
Cell death Altered cerebral metabolism
Decreased Edema
Oxygen level Venous
Stroke Severe dehydration, severe infection
Intracerebral in the sinuses of the head and
hemorrhage medical or genetic conditions that
Decreased increase a persons tendency to form
cerebral perfusion blood clots.

P Large Artery
Strokes Hypertension, diabetes, smoking and
A high cholesterol levels.
R Local
A Acidosis
L
Y Transient
Ischemic Same with Ischemic stroke
eurysm Stroke Hypertension, diabetes and
smoking.
S
Rupture
I
S Small Embolic
Irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation), a
heart attack (myocardial infarction),
Artery strokes heart failure or a small hole in the heart
An called a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale).

Brain tissue
Necrosis

DEATH
Severe Cases
A stroke is caused by a blocked or bleeding artery in the brain. Most strokes are
due to blocked arteries that supply blood to the brain and are called ischemic
strokes. Strokes due to bursting of brain blood vessels are called hemorrhagic
strokes. Intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding into the brain itself,
while subarachnoid hemorrhage is due to bleeding around the base of the brain.
A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow
to a blood vessel to the brain lasting less than 24 hours. Another, rarer, form of
stroke can occur when a vein (that drains blood out of the brain) is blocked. This
is called a venous stroke.

Ischemic Stroke

This type of stroke is caused by blockage of a blood vessel (artery) supplying the
brain. Brain tissue that no longer receives its blood supply can die within a few
hours unless something is done to stop the damage. The blockage of arteries
can occur in large arteries in the neck or the base of the brain, or in small arteries
inside the brain itself. A blood clot can form in the brain or it can form elsewhere
and be carried to the brain by an artery and after having an ischemic stroke and
the majority of survivors have some long term disability. There are many
conditions that increase a person's risk of ischemic stroke. These include high
blood pressure, smoking, heart diseases, diabetes, narrowing of arteries
supplying the brain, high cholesterol and an unhealthy lifestyle. Treating these
conditions can decrease stroke risk.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

This type of stroke is caused by the bleeding of a blood vessel within the brain.
As a result of the bleeding a blood clot forms in the brain, which puts pressure on
the brain and damages it. Although intracerebral hemorrhage is less common
than ischemic stroke and it is more serious. The most common cause of
intracerebral hemorrhage is high blood pressure. Another cause, especially in
younger people with intracerebral hemorrhages, is abnormally formed blood
vessels in the brain (vascular malformations or aneurysms).
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage results from the bleeding of an artery around the base
of the brain. It is the least common stroke type, accounting for about 5% of all
strokes. The most frequent cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding from
an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weakening and ballooning of a short portion of
an artery (similar to a bubble on the side of an old hose). The factors that can
increase a persons risk of this type of stroke include high blood pressure,
smoking, and a family history of burst aneurysms.

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

A TIA is like a temporary ischemic stroke. An artery is temporarily blocked,

preventing blood from reaching a part of the brain. This lack of blood flow causes
that part of the brain to stop functioning. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as
symptoms of an ischemic stroke. In a TIA, the blood vessel opens up again,
before any permanent injury to the brain occurs and the patient recovers
completely. Most TIA symptoms last less than 30 minutes. People who suffer
TIAs are at HIGH RISK OF STROKE soon thereafter. A TIA should lead to
immediate medical evaluation to determine its cause and a treatment plan to
prevent a stroke from following soon after.

Venous Stroke
Venous stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the veins that allow blood to drain out
of the brain. (All other strokes are caused by abnormalities of arteries carrying blood to
the brain). Venous stroke causes a back pressure effect that leads to the stroke.
These strokes can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Some causes of venous stroke
include severe dehydration, severe infection in the sinuses of the head and medical or
genetic conditions that increase a persons tendency to form blood clots.