Acute Ischemic Stroke

Acute Ischemic Stroke

Acute ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to certain parts of the brain is suddenly cut off, leading to a loss of cognitive functioning (Phipps & Cronin, 2020). The trigger to loss of supply is blockage of the cerebral vessel that supplies blood to that affected area of the brain. Several physiological processes and elements are involved during acute ischemic s

troke. One of the elements that play an important role in ischemic stroke is blood glucose. Blood glucose is essential for the brain because it is essential for the survival of brain cells together with oxygen (Maida et al., 2022). Inadequate glucose supply to the brain worsens the outcome of acute ischemic stroke because the brain would not have sufficient energy to function properly, causing further damage to the brain cells.

Similarly, high blood glucose levels in the body can also contribute to events that lead to acute ischemic stroke. For instance, hyperglycemia, which is characterized by uncontrolled and elevated blood glucose levels causes functional and structural changes to the vessels that carry blood to and from the heart (Maida et al., 2022). An example of structural changes is the narrowing of the blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow. Hence, the heart has to work extra hard to compensate for the insufficient blood supply, causing hypertension. As the blood pressure continues to elevate, it damages the arteries, increasing the risk of clot formation. The presence of blood clots in the arteries can cut blood supply to the vessels supplying the brain, causing a stroke. Hence, the relationship between blood glucose and acute ischemic stroke is characterized by high blood pressure that causes impairment in the blood supply to the brain. As evidence of the relationship, patients who experience stroke and have hyperglycemia have an increased risk of hemorrhage, large infarct size, and increased risk of mortality (Mosenzon et al., 2023).

References

Maida, C., Daidone, M., Pacinella, G., Norrito, R., & Pinto, A. (2022). Tuttolomondo A. Diabetes and Is