Stroke​

A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a serious medical condition that occurs when the normal flow of blood to the brain is disrupted. This disruption can occur due to a blockage in a blood vessel or a bursting of a blood vessel within the brain. This can result in the death of brain cells within minutes, which can cause a wide range of symptoms and have a significant impact on a person's life.

It is often important to have a neuropsychological evaluation after a stroke. This can involve evaluating affected areas such as memory, language, and higher-level thinking and reasoning, as well as any emotional and behavioral changes that may have occurred. Common types of stroke will be discussed in more detail below.

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  • Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked by a clot or fatty deposits. Prompt medical attention is crucial. One of the most effective treatments for ischemic stroke is the use of specific medications, which are given by IV at the hospital to dissolve the clot and restore blood flow to the brain. Time is of the essence, because these medications must be given relatively quickly after the onset of symptoms to be effective. Other treatments would be determined by hospital physicians.

  • A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures, causing bleeding into the surrounding brain. This type of stroke is caused by two common factors: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.
    Aneurysms occur when a weakened region of a blood vessel balloons, while arteriovenous malformations refer to clusters of abnormally formed blood vessels. When a blood vessel ruptures, the leaked blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue, causing damage.

  • A cryptogenic stroke refers to a situation where the cause of a stroke cannot be immediately determined, despite the efforts of the medical team. When an individual experiences a stroke, they are at risk for future strokes, so further evaluation is often conducted to try and identify a potential underlying cause. Common contributors to cryptogenic strokes include irregular heartbeat resulting from atrial fibrillation, heart structure abnormalities, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and blood clotting disorders.

  • A TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. TIA symptoms typically resolve quickly, with the individual returning to normal functioning. The initial symptoms of TIA and more severe types of stroke are often similar, so prompt medical evaluation is required. Having a TIA increases the risk of future strokes, so is important to work closely with medical professionals to minimize risk and ensure proper care.