SYMPTOMATIC PRESENTATION
● A cerebrovascular accident presents with sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
● Numbness or tingling can affect the face, arm, or leg.
● Speech may become unclear or incoherent 🗣️.
● Comprehension of spoken language can be impaired.
● Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes may occur.
● Double vision can be a symptom related to neurological disruption.
● Loss of balance or difficulty walking is frequent 🚶.
● Severe and sudden headache can accompany some types of cerebrovascular accidents.
● Confusion can involve disorientation to time and space 🧭.
MENTAL STATUS ALTERATIONS
● Somnolence can alternate with brief moments of alertness.
● Disorientation may concern both the current date and the surrounding environment.
● Periods of partial responsiveness can be interspersed with silence 📉.
● Difficulty pronouncing words can indicate neurological compromise.
● Loss of recognition of familiar people may occur.
● Repetition of unrelated phrases is a possible manifestation 📜.
● Lack of awareness of the actual situation can be present.
● Inability to follow simple commands can indicate severe brain involvement 🧠.
● Reduced ability to sustain eye contact may accompany confusion.
DIAGNOSTIC TERMINOLOGY
● The term ischemic cerebrovascular accident refers to blockage of blood flow to brain tissue.
● Atheromatous plaque refers to fatty deposits inside an artery 🩸.
● Carotid artery obstruction is a severe narrowing of a major neck artery.
● Hypertension is persistently high blood pressure.
● Disorientation describes loss of accurate perception of time, place, or identity.
● Dysarthria refers to slurred or slow speech.
● Hemiparesis means weakness of one side of the body.
● Neurological deficit is any measurable loss of brain function 🧪.
● Acute onset defines symptoms appearing suddenly.
RISK FACTORS
● Uncontrolled hypertension increases risk of cerebrovascular accident.
● Carotid artery blockage can reduce cerebral blood flow.
● Atheroma and calcification can progressively narrow arteries.
● Lack of regular medical monitoring may delay intervention 🏥.
● Sedentary habits can worsen vascular health.
● High cholesterol can contribute to atheroma formation.
● Tobacco use can damage blood vessels 🚭.
● Family history of vascular disease increases susceptibility.
● Poor dietary habits can exacerbate hypertension.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE NETHERLANDS
● The national emergency number is 112 📞.
● Doors should be left unlocked to allow entry by responders.
● Short messages to nearby contacts can accelerate help arrival.
● Immediate recumbency with head slightly elevated can be beneficial.
● Self-transport to hospital should be avoided.
● FAST is a mnemonic for Face, Arm, Speech, Time ⏱️.
● Calling emergency services must not be delayed.
● Symptoms resolving quickly may indicate a transient ischemic attack.
● Medical evaluation is essential even after apparent recovery.
CASE CONTEXT
● A high-profile individual experienced an ischemic cerebrovascular accident on July 14, 2025.
● The event occurred at a private residence.
● Discovery was made by a close family member 👥.
● The intended activity that day was participation in an official ceremony.
● Initial condition included somnolence and left-sided weakness.
● The patient was transported to a healthcare facility.
● Diagnosis confirmed ischemic cerebrovascular accident 🧾.
● Subsequent reports documented alternating lucidity and disorientation.
● Prognosis was grave and required intensive care.
OBJECTIVE OF LEARNING
● The reader understands the signs of cerebrovascular accident.
● The reader recognizes the risk factors for cerebrovascular accident.
● The reader identifies emergency response steps in the Netherlands 🚑.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 