CVA (Stroke) is a sudden loss of brain function due to interruption of blood flow caused by ischemia (blockage) or hemorrhage (bleeding).
Mnemonic: "S.T.R.O.K.E. = Sudden Thrombotic Rupture Of Key
Encephalic vessels"
TYPES OF STROKE
1. Ischemic Stroke (Blockage – 85%)
- Thrombotic Stroke → Due to atherosclerosis (gradual).
- Embolic Stroke → Due to clot from heart (sudden).
- Lacunar Stroke → Due to small vessel blockage (HTN, Diabetes).
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke (Bleeding – 15%)
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) → Bleeding inside the brain.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) → Bleeding around the brain (ruptured aneurysm).
Mnemonic: "I.H. = Ischemic (Blockage), Hemorrhagic
(Bleeding)"
RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE
Non-Modifiable (C.A.G.E.)
- C – Cerebral Aging (>60 years).
- A – Atrial Fibrillation & Heart Disease.
- G – Genetic Predisposition.
- E – Ethnicity (Higher in African & Asian Populations).
Modifiable (H.D.S.A.T.)
- H – Hypertension (Most Important).
- D – Diabetes & High Cholesterol.
- S – Smoking & Alcohol.
- A – Atherosclerosis.
- T – Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs – Warning Signs).
Mnemonic: "C.A.G.E. (Non-Modifiable) & H.D.S.A.T.
(Modifiable)"
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF STROKE
F.A.S.T. Mnemonic (For Early Recognition)
- F – Face Drooping.
- A – Arm Weakness (One-Sided).
- S – Speech Difficulty (Slurred/Confused).
- T – Time to Call Emergency!
Other Symptoms (D.R.O.P.S.)
- D – Dizziness & Loss of Balance.
- R – Reduced Vision (One or Both Eyes).
- O – One-Sided Paralysis (Hemiparesis).
- P – Poor Coordination.
- S – Sudden Severe Headache (More in Hemorrhagic Stroke).
Mnemonic: "F.A.S.T. & D.R.O.P.S."
TYPES OF ISCHEMIC STROKE BASED ON
ARTERY INVOLVED
Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) Stroke
- Contralateral Face & Arm Weakness
- Aphasia (If Left Hemisphere Affected)
- Hemianopia (Half Vision Loss)
Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) Stroke
- Contralateral Leg Weakness
- Personality Changes (Frontal Lobe Involvement)
Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA) Stroke
- Contralateral Visual Field Defects (Homonymous Hemianopia).
Vertebrobasilar Stroke (Brainstem Involvement)
- Dizziness, Double Vision, Ataxia, Dysphagia.
Mnemonic: "M.A.P.V. = MCA (Face/Arm), ACA (Leg), PCA (Vision),
Vertebrobasilar (Dizziness/Ataxia)"
DIAGNOSIS OF STROKE
Imaging Tests
- CT Scan (First Test – Differentiates Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic Stroke).
- MRI Brain (More Sensitive for Ischemia).
- Carotid Doppler (Detects Arterial Narrowing).
- Echocardiography (If Embolic Stroke Suspected).
Blood Tests
- Lipid Profile, Blood Sugar, Coagulation Tests.
Mnemonic: "C.M.C.E. = CT, MRI, Carotid Doppler,
Echocardiogram"
TREATMENT OF STROKE
1. ISCHEMIC STROKE MANAGEMENT
Acute Phase (Golden 4.5 Hours for Thrombolysis)
- IV tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) – Clot Dissolving Drug.
- Aspirin (Prevents New Clots).
- Blood Pressure Control (Maintain Under 180/105 mmHg).
Long-Term Prevention
- Statins (Lower Cholesterol).
- Antiplatelets (Aspirin, Clopidogrel).
- Lifestyle Changes (Diet, Exercise, Quit Smoking).
Mnemonic: "T.A.B.S. = Thrombolysis, Aspirin, BP Control,
Statins"
2. HEMORRHAGIC STROKE MANAGEMENT
Emergency Care
- Blood Pressure Control (Maintain Below 140/90 mmHg).
- Surgical Intervention (If Large Bleed or Aneurysm Rupture).
Preventing Further Bleeding
- Avoid Blood Thinners (No Aspirin in Hemorrhagic Stroke).
- Correct Clotting Defects (Vitamin K, Platelet Transfusion).
Mnemonic: "B.S.A.C. = BP Control, Surgery, Avoid Blood
Thinners, Clotting Correction"
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA) –
MINI-STROKE
Definition:
- A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain lasting less than 24 hours with no permanent damage.
- Warning Sign for Stroke! (High Risk of Stroke in Next 90 Days).
Treatment:
- Aspirin & Clopidogrel (Blood Thinners).
- Carotid Surgery (If Severe Artery Blockage).
- Lifestyle Modifications (BP & Sugar Control).
Mnemonic: "T.I.A. = Temporary Ischemia Attack"
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF STROKE
- For Acute Stroke & Paralysis:
- Arnica, Lachesis, Nux Vomica, Causticum.
- For Post-Stroke Weakness & Speech Issues:
- Plumbum Met, Conium, Baryta Carb, Gelsemium.
- For Recovery & Circulation Issues:
- Zincum Met, Opium, Phosphorus.
Mnemonic: "A.L.N.C. = Arnica, Lachesis, Nux Vomica, Causticum
for Stroke"
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "S.T.R.O.K.E. = Sudden Thrombotic Rupture Of Key Encephalic vessels"
- Types = "I.H." (Ischemic, Hemorrhagic)
- Risk Factors = "C.A.G.E." (Non-Modifiable) & "H.D.S.A.T." (Modifiable)
- Symptoms = "F.A.S.T. & D.R.O.P.S."
- Artery Involvement = "M.A.P.V." (MCA, ACA, PCA, Vertebrobasilar)
- Diagnosis = "C.M.C.E." (CT, MRI, Carotid Doppler, Echocardiogram)
- Ischemic Stroke = "T.A.B.S." (Thrombolysis, Aspirin, BP Control, Statins)
- Hemorrhagic Stroke = "B.S.A.C." (BP Control, Surgery, Avoid Blood Thinners, Clotting Correction)
- TIA = "T.I.A. = Temporary Ischemia Attack"
- Homeopathy = "A.L.N.C." (Arnica, Lachesis, Nux Vomica, Causticum for Stroke)
