Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Summary
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is an event involving an interruption of blood flow or bleeding in a region of the brain. The term cerebral refers to the brain tissue. A CVA refers to a vascular event in the brain. A stroke refers tobrain damagedue to a vascular event, and these terms are often interchangeable.
A CVA is an emergency that is often treatable if detected promptly, and rapid treatment can reduce or prevent stroke damage. This article will describe CVA’s types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention and coping methods.
Kateryna Zasukhina / Getty Images
Types of Cerebrovascular Accident
The main types of CVA involve either an obstruction of a blood vessel in a region of the brain or bleeding of a blood vessel in the brain.
A CVA due to an interruption in blood flow is often referred to as anischemic stroke.Ischemia, which is inadequate blood supply, is the most common type of CVA. A hemorrhage, which is bleeding, is another type of CVA.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic CVA can result from the following:
Thrombosis in a cerebral artery is often referred to as a stroke. Thrombosis in a cerebral vein is often referred to as cerebral venous thrombosis. One type of venous thrombosis is calleddural sinus thrombosis.
Sometimes, an embolism may occur in a cerebral blood vessel that atherosclerotic disease has already affected.
Hemorrhagic CVAcan result from:
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Cerebrovascular Accident Symptoms
The symptoms of a CVA can vary depending on which type of CVA occurred, which area of the brain it affected, the size of the affected blood vessel, and other medical or neurological problems.
The most common symptoms of an ischemic stroke include:
An ischemic stroke can cause one or more of these symptoms.
The most common symptoms of a cerebral hemorrhage include:
The most common symptoms of cerebral venous thrombosis include:
This condition is not common, and the risk is increased during preeclampsia oreclampsia, which are dangerous pregnancy complications.
A CVA occurs when there is an abnormality in blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain. This can include obstruction or bleeding, and it may affect cerebral arteries, veins, or capillaries.
There are many different risk factors for CVA. Some risk factors are more likely to cause some types of CVA than others.
The Warning Signs of Stroke in Women
A CVA is a medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention. A quick and accurate diagnosis is often possible with a physical examination and brain imaging tests.If a person who is having a CVA can communicate, a description of the symptoms is also highly beneficial in the diagnosis.
The physical examination, which includes a neurological examination, can quickly identify changes in vital signs (such as very high blood pressure) that may require urgent treatment. Theneurological examinationcan detect evidence of a stroke, such as weakness on one side of the body.
Imaging Tests
Urgent testing may include a brain computerized tomography (CT) scan, which is a type of detailed X-ray that doesn’t take a long time. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may take longer and can detect subtle areas of damage.
Imaging Tests of the Brain
Other Tests
Depending on the circumstances, other tests may be necessary to determine whether ongoing medical issues need treatment in association with a CVA.
These can include blood tests to identify whether there is ableeding disorderor blood clotting disorder,electrolyte abnormalities(changes in concentration of essential charged particles in the blood), or evidence of an infection. These issues must also be treated promptly in the immediate phase of CVA treatment.
After a person has medically stabilized from the immediate stage of a CVA, other tests are necessary to determine whether there are any underlying risk factors and health issues that need treatment. These can include anechocardiogram,carotid ultrasound, cerebral angiogram, and blood tests that can detect inflammatory disorders or bleeding disorders.
If other signs point to less common underlying risk factors, such as an infection, blood cultures and/orlumbar puncture(spinal tap) could be necessary.
Managing a CVA involves immediate medical stabilization and treatment to reduce the potential for brain damage. Long-term management focuses on rehabilitation and treatment of underlying risk factors.
Different causes of CVA require different interventions. Immediate treatment can include the following as needed and appropriate:
Rehabilitationcan begin within the first few days after a CVA. For people who have had extensive brain damage from a CVA, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and swallow therapy may need to continue for months or longer.
Depending on the level of function and independence after a CVA, rehabilitation may take place on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Stroke preventionis an ongoing part of management after a CVA. Treatment of medical conditions and risk factors is crucial for preventing another CVA.
The prognosis after CVA is highly variable. Many people do very well and can function with minimal limitations. However, some people experience substantial changes in physical or cognitive abilities after a CVA.
As yourecover from a CVA, your prognosis will become more apparent over the first few days and weeks. Many people who initially seem like they might not have a good prognosis can eventually experience good outcomes and independence after CVA.
A CVA can result in many physical, cognitive, and health changes. Coping with the outcome of a CVA can be emotionally and physically challenging.
Practical support, along with rehabilitation, can help you adjust to day-to-day life.
Additionally, seeking out emotional support when learning to live with the limitations that may result from a CVA may prove helpful. Sometimes, speaking with a professional therapist who is experienced in counseling people who have recovered from a CVA can also help. Family members, especially primary caregivers, may also benefit from support.
Emotional support can come from a licensed therapist, and some people can also benefit from joining a support group for stroke survivors or caregivers of stroke survivors.
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a disruption of blood flow or bleeding in the brain. It can affect an artery or vein of the brain and may cause harm to brain tissue. Three main types of CVA are an ischemic stroke, a cerebral hemorrhage, or a cerebral venous occlusion.
These events are medical emergencies that require prompt medical attention. The immediate effects of a CVA can include head pain, weakness, vision changes, and convulsions, Treatment can minimize the damage it causes. Long-term management involves rehabilitation and the prevention of another CVA.
Benefits and Preparations for In-Home Physical Therapy
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sun Y, Langer HF.Platelets, thromboinflammation and neurovascular disease.Front Immunol.2022;13:843404. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.843404
Kako T, Azuma F, Nokura K, Izawa H.Clinical study on the cerebral infarction accompanied with septic disseminated intravascular coagulation.Fujita Med J.2021;7(3):99-104. doi:10.20407/fmj.2020-011
Wang R, Yang DX, Ding J, et al.Classification, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with progressive hemorrhagic injury after traumatic brain injury.BMC Neurol.2023;23(1):68. doi:10.1186/s12883-023-03112-x
Darmawan G, Hamijoyo L, Oehadian A, et al.Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.Acta Med Indones.2018 Oct;50(4):343-345
de Mendiola JMF, Arboix A, García-Eroles L, et al.Acute spontaneous lobar cerebral hemorrhages present a different clinical profile and a more severe early prognosis than deep subcortical intracerebral hemorrhages—a hospital-based stroke registry study.Biomedicines. 2023;11(1):223. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11010223
Chung JY, Lee BN, Kim YS, et al.Sex differences and risk factors in recurrent ischemic stroke.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1028431. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1028431
Wang Y, Shen X, Wang P, Fang Q.Clinical characteristics of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis patients with new-onset of headache.BMC Neurol.2023;23(1):56. doi:10.1186/s12883-023-03098-6
Mount Sinai.Cerebral angiography.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.Emergency department evaluation and management of patients with transient ischemic attack and acute stroke.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
