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Stroke Terms
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Explanations of the words used to discuss or describe stroke illness.
Words with capital letters are listed individually to allow further understanding.
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A - B - C - D - E - H - I - L - M - N - P - S - T - V -W
AF—Atrial Fibrillation
Irregular heart rhythm
Agnosia
Inability to recognise an object by touch alone
Agraphia
Difficulty in writing or drawing
Alexia
Inability to read
Amnesia
Loss of memory
Aneurysm
Swelling in a blood vessel wall which may burst and cause a stroke
Angioplasty
Procedure to stretch narrowed coronary arteries to improve the blood flow to the heart
Aphagia
Inability to swallow
Aphasia
Inability to speak or use language
Apraxia
Difficulty in coordinating movement or speech
Ataxia
Loss of control of muscle function
ASA—Aspirin
Blood thinning medication
ASD—Atrial Septal Defect
Small hole in the top part of the heart
Atheroma
Build up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels which restricts blood flow
Atherosclerosis
Build up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels which restricts blood flow
AVM—Arterio-Venous Malformation
Abnormal structure of Arteries and Veins in the brain which has a risk of haemorrhage
BP—Blood Pressure
Measurement of the pressure within the arteries
Brain attack
New term for a stroke
Brainstem
Base of the brain which controls basic life functions
Bruit
Noise made by a blockage in a Carotid Artery when examined by a doctor
Carotid Arteries
Blood vessels which supply blood to the brain
CD—Carotid Doppler
Ultrasound of the arteries in the neck to check for blockages
Carotid Endarterectomy
Procedure to clear blockage from a Carotid Artery
Cerebral Haemorrhage
Medical term for a bleed in the brain
Cholesterol
Fat which leads to fatty deposits in the Arteries
CT Scan—Computerised Tomography Scan
Two dimensional scan used to look at areas of the body in detail
CVA—Cerebrovascular Accident
Outdated medical term for a stroke
Contracture
When a joint becomes fixed in one position
Diplopia
Double vision
Dysarthria
Difficulty in communicating due to weakness of the muscles used in speaking
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing
Dyslexia
Difficulty in reading
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing
Dysphasia
Difficulty in using and understanding language
Dysphonia
Difficulty in speaking at the desired volume
Dyspraxia
Difficulty in coordinating movement or speech
EEG—Electroencephalogram
Tracing of the activity of the brain
Embolism
A clot in a blood vessel, that has been carried by the blood from one point in the circulation to lodge in another point.
Hemianopia
Blindness in half of the visual field in both eyes
Hemiparesis
Weakness or partial Paralysis on one side of the body
Hemiplegia
Loss of power or movement on one side of the body
Haemorrhage
from a ruptured Blood Vessel
Haematoma
Blood clot
HBP—High Blood Pressure
When the pressure within the arteries is too high
Hydrocephalus
Raised pressure within the skull
Hypertension
High Blood Pressure
Hypotension
Low Blood Pressure
Incontinence
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Infarct
Area of tissue damaged by lack of blood and oxygen
Ischaemia
Lack of blood flow to tissues in the body
LACS—Lacunar Syndrome
Medical classification a stroke in one of the brain's smaller arteries.
MID—Multi-Infarct Dementia
Long term confusion caused by a series of small Strokes
NG—Naso-gastric
Tube inserted through the nostril into the stomach to feed a dysphagic patient
Nystagmus
Involuntary jerking of the eyes
PACS—Partial Anterior Circulation Syndrome
Medical classification; a Stroke at the front of the brain caused by an Infact.
Paralysis
Loss of movement in a part of the body
PEG—Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
Tube inserted into the wall of the stomach to feed a Dysphagic patient
PET—Positive Emission Tomography
A detailed scan of the brain
POCS—Posterior Circulation Syndrome
Medical classification; a Stroke at the back of the brain caused by an Infarct.
SAH—SubArachnoid Haemorrhage
Ruptured blood vessel bleeding into the space surrounding brain
Spasticity
Stiffness which develops in the muscles
Statin
Generic name for cholesterol lowering medications
Stroke
Disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain which damages the surrounding brain cells
TACS—Total Anterior Circulatory Syndrome
Medical classification; a large Stroke at the front of the brain caused by an Infarct
Thalamus
Part of the brain which deals with sensations
Thrombolysis
A ‘clot busting’ drug used to dissolve a blood clot which is causing a stroke
Thrombosis
Blockage in a blood vessel due to a blood clot
TIA—Transient Ischaemic Attack
Medical classification of a mini-Stroke; symptoms last less than 24 hours
Vertigo
An abnormal sensation of movement
VSD—Ventricular Septal Defect
Small hole in the bottom part of the heart
Warfarin
A prescribed blood thinning medication to prevent Stroke due to embolism
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