‘Living with Stroke” – Prof David Williams
RCSI MyHealth Lecture – November 2016
Click here for our ‘Ask the Expert’ video wallWhat causes Stroke?
Divided into two categories.
The most common category is Ischaemic Stroke, caused by a reduction of blood flow to an area of the brain. This causes 80% of stroke. Reduction of blood flow can be caused by a blood clot going up a main artery to the brain or can be caused by a narrowing of a blood vessel supplying that area of the brain.
Haemorrhagic Stroke (brain haemmorrage) often caused by a leakage of a diseased blood vessel caused by either high blood pressure or burst aneurysm.
Risk Factors
Overweight – increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) all these factors associated with increased risk of stroke.
Lack of Exercise – increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Excess Alcohol Intake – affects blood pressure control, alcohol in moderation heps reduce risk of stroke.
Blood Pressure – High blood pressure (hypertension) means pressure in your arteries is elevated. 140/90 = High B lood Pressure. The top number (systolic) is the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Know your blood pressure reading.
Atrial Fibbrillation – irreglarity in teh heart rate. If the heart has an irregular heart beat, it measn that blood clots can form in the heart. Those blood clots can go to the legs, arms or to the head. If they go to the head, this can cause stroke.
Cervical artery Dissection – When the main artery in the neck dissets as a rsult of trama. That trama causes a small blood clot to formand that blood clot can go to the brain and casue a stroke.
