The Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) occurs when blood vessels that supply blood to the brain become blocked or rupture, causing paralysis in the area of the brain that is deprived of blood circulation. It is a condition that affects men more and is one of the leading causes of death, disability, and hospitalizations.
The faster the diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chances of recovery.
There are two types of CVA, which occur for different reasons: hemorrhagic CVA and ischemic CVA.
The main warning signs for any type of CVA are: weakness or tingling in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; mental confusion; changes in speech or comprehension; changes in vision; changes in balance, coordination, dizziness, or changes in walking; sudden, intense headache with no apparent cause.
If any of these symptoms appear, call 911 immediately.
The ischemic CVA occurs when there is a blockage in an artery, preventing oxygen from reaching brain cells, which eventually die. This can happen due to thrombosis or embolism.
The hemorrhagic CVA occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding. This bleeding can occur within the brain tissue or on the surface between the brain and the meninges. It can cause death more frequently than ischemic CVA.
The main causal factors of these diseases are: hypertension; type 2 diabetes; high cholesterol; overweight; obesity; smoking; excessive alcohol consumption; advanced age; sedentary lifestyle; use of illicit drugs; family history; and being male.
The hemorrhagic CVA is caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure and the rupture of an aneurysm. However, it can also be triggered by other factors such as: hemophilia or other blood clotting disorders, head or neck injuries, radiation treatment for neck or brain cancer, cardiac arrhythmias, congenital heart diseases or defects, vasculitis, infections from syphilis, Lyme disease, tuberculosis, heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction.
The ischemic CVA is divided into four subgroups: atherothrombotic, cardioembolic, other etiology, and cryptogenic.
Many risk factors contribute to the occurrence of a CVA and other diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Not smoking; not consuming alcohol; not using illicit drugs; maintaining a healthy diet; keeping an ideal weight; drinking plenty of water; engaging in physical activities; and keeping blood pressure and glucose under control are essential for the prevention of CVA.
Source: www.saude.gov.br