A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), more commonly called a stroke, occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off or significantly reduced, causing brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. There are two main types: ischaemic stroke (caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel, accounting for around 85% of cases) and haemorrhagic stroke (caused by a blood vessel rupturing and bleeding into the brain).
Strokes are relevant to cardiac arrest in several ways. Hypoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest is distinct from stroke but shares some features, including potential long-term cognitive and neurological sequelae. Atrial fibrillation, which can be a consequence of underlying heart disease, is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. Additionally, thromboembolic events can occur as a complication in the post-cardiac arrest period.
Symptoms of stroke are remembered using the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to call 999. Stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment. Treatment of ischaemic stroke may include thrombolysis (clot-dissolving medication) or thrombectomy (mechanical clot removal) if delivered rapidly enough.
Long-term consequences of stroke can include weakness, speech and language difficulties, cognitive impairment, and fatigue, some of which overlap with the sequelae that cardiac arrest survivors may also experience.
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