Cerebral vascular accidents, or CVAs -- better known as strokes -- are often debilitating and life-threatening. According to the American Heart Association, or AHA, strokes killed over 137,000 Americans in 2006. Strokes are the third leading cause of death from disease, after heart-related diseases and cancer. There are a number of complications which can occur after having a stroke, notes MayoClinic.com.
Paralysis
Paralysis or limited movement is seen in the acute phase of a stroke, and can be a permanent disability depending on the degree of brain damage, areas damaged and the amount of time the brain was without oxygen, according to MayoClinc.com. If the damage is extensive and/or permanent, your physical activity may be limited, and you may be prone to developing ulcerations over bony prominences -- commonly known as bedsores -- on the lower back, ankles, shoulder and elbows. It is important to do range-of-motion exercises to prevent bed sores.
Cardiovascular Complications
An irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart, are problems which both predispose you to having a stroke and also may appear as complications after having a stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, or ASA, 15 to 20 percent of people who have strokes have atrial fibrillation. Both atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy affect the pumping mechanism of the heart and therefore increase the incidence of blood pooling. leading to blood clots in the heart chambers. When these clots are released into your bloodstream, they can end up in the brain and cause a subsequent stroke, or in the lungs or lower extremities, causing serious to life-threatening conditions known as pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis. People with atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy are routinely medically managed with blood thinners to combat this problem, according to the ASA.
Choking and Pneumonia
Pneumonia can occur when the stroke victim aspirates food due to loss of function in the muscles of the throat. A speech therapist is often needed to assess the patient's swallowing and speaking ability after having a stroke, as choking and aspiration pneumonia are common after a stroke. Foods should be pureed and liquids thickened to avoid the risk of choking and aspiration. It is also wise, if you are the caretaker of a stroke patient, to supervise the patient carefully, as more than 30 percent of these patients need assistance with daily living, according to the website Neurology Channel.
Mental Status Changes
Stroke victims experience a variety of mental status changes, including confusion, memory loss and depression. Brain damage is a major stroke complication that can put the patient at risk for injuries like falls due to disorientation. Depression may surface, and the patient may become combative or withdrawn as he attempts to cope with the loss of the ability to perform tasks like driving, bathing and sex. As many as 33 percent of stroke patients suffer from depression, notes Neurology Channel.
