The Impact Of Stroke: Vital Sign Changes And Effects (2025)

Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability, with an estimated annual cost of $34 billion. They occur when blood supply to the brain is cut off, and can be caused by blood clots, atherosclerosis, or low blood pressure. Vital signs are useful in detecting and monitoring medical problems, and can be measured at home or in a medical setting. The four main vital signs are respiration rate, blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) can help prevent strokes by tracking vital signs such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, allowing for early detection and intervention by physicians. RPM also helps patients adopt healthier lifestyles that significantly reduce stroke risk.

Heart rate monitoring: tachycardia and bradycardia are common after a stroke

Vital signs such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels can be monitored to help prevent a first or repeat stroke. Tachycardia and bradycardia are common after a stroke and can be life-threatening.

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate of 120 beats per minute or higher, while bradycardia is a heart rate of fewer than 45 beats per minute. These conditions can occur in up to 15% and 5% of stroke patients, respectively, and are more common in those with larger infarcts and higher clinical severity. They are also more likely to occur in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or those who already have high heart rates.

The occurrence of tachycardia and bradycardia after a stroke is due to an intense stress reaction in the body, which results in sympathoadrenergic responses. This reaction is influenced by lesion size and psychological stress. Additionally, pre-existing cardiac disease further facilitates heart rate disturbances and cardiac events.

Continuous heart rate monitoring is essential for detecting rhythm disturbances in stroke patients and determining the need for urgent medical treatment. Treatment of tachycardia and bradycardia may include medications such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs, as well as procedures such as pharmacological or electrical cardioversion.

Blood pressure monitoring: high blood pressure is the most controllable risk factor for stroke

High blood pressure is the most controllable risk factor for stroke. It is also the leading cause of stroke. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries and is recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (when the heart muscle contracts) and diastolic pressure (when the heart muscle rests between beats and refills with blood). High blood pressure occurs when blood flows with too much force, putting more pressure on the arteries. This excess pressure can cause small tears in the arteries, which the body then tries to repair with scar tissue. However, this scar tissue can lead to blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can be deadly, but it often has no apparent symptoms, so regular blood pressure checks are crucial. High blood pressure can be checked, lowered, and controlled. Whether your blood pressure is high or normal, you should eat a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, avoid tobacco smoke, take prescribed medication, and limit alcohol consumption.

The optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Aiming for a blood pressure reading of less than 130/80 mmHg is advised, as anything above this is considered hypertensive and increases the risk of stroke.

Blood glucose monitoring: diabetes is a significant risk factor for stroke

Diabetes is a significant risk factor for stroke. In the United States, it is the seventh leading cause of death, with 65% of these deaths caused by cardiovascular disease or stroke. Diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar to rise, and a fasting blood glucose level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher is considered dangerous. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a stroke as those without. They also tend to develop heart disease or have a stroke at an earlier age.

The connection between diabetes and stroke lies in how the body handles blood glucose to produce energy. Most food we eat is broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and travels to cells throughout the body. For glucose to enter cells and provide energy, it needs a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. In people with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin, while in those with Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either makes too little insulin or muscles, the liver, and fat do not use insulin correctly. As a result, people with untreated diabetes end up with too much glucose in their blood, leaving their cells unable to receive enough energy. Over time, excessive blood glucose can increase fatty deposits or clots in blood vessels, which may lead to stroke.

Diabetes can cause specific clinical patterns of ischemic stroke. For example, people with diabetes are more likely to have limb weakness and dysarthria as signs of lacunar cerebral infarction compared to those without diabetes. Additionally, uncontrolled diabetes puts individuals at risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

To prevent stroke, people with diabetes should manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. They should also be aware of the signs of stroke and seek quick medical attention if they experience any symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, quitting smoking, and taking medications as prescribed are some of the lifestyle changes that can help lower the risk of stroke in people with diabetes.

Temperature monitoring: hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 95°F

Temperature Monitoring: Hypothermia

Definition

Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 95°F (35°C). It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hypothermia vary depending on its severity. They can include:

• Mild hypothermia (body temperature between 95°F and 89.6°F): Shivering, chattering teeth, clumsiness, slow movements, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, poor judgment, excessive urination.
• Moderate hypothermia (body temperature between 89.6°F and 82.4°F): Slow breathing and heart rate, decline in mental function, decreased shivering, bluish skin, increased muscle stiffness, abnormal heart rhythm, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness.
• Severe hypothermia (body temperature below 82.4°F): Low blood pressure, absence of reflexes, complete muscle stiffness, loss of voluntary motion, low urine output, cardiac arrest, coma.

Causes

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses more heat than it generates, often due to exposure to cold, wet, or windy conditions. Certain factors can increase the risk, including age, alcohol or drug use, homelessness, and certain medical conditions or medications.

Treatment

The treatment of hypothermia focuses on preventing further heat loss and rewarming the body. Initial steps include moving the person to a warm, dry location, removing wet clothing, and covering them with dry clothes and blankets. In more severe cases, external heat sources like heat lamps or hot packs may be used, and healthcare providers may administer warm fluids or oxygen.

Respiration rate monitoring: a rate of 12-16 breaths per minute is considered normal for an adult at rest

Respiration rate monitoring is a vital part of assessing a person's overall health. A normal respiration rate for a healthy adult at rest is between 12 and 18 breaths per minute. This is one of the four main vital signs, along with body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate.

To measure your respiration rate, you should sit or lie down in a quiet place and count the number of breaths you take in one minute. It is important to be in a state of rest, as even walking across a room can affect your respiration rate.

A respiration rate of fewer than 12 breaths per minute is known as bradypnea and may indicate an underlying health condition. A rate of more than 20 breaths per minute is called tachypnea and could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as cardiac arrest.

A person's respiration rate can be affected by many factors, including age, anxiety, fever, respiratory conditions, heart problems, and dehydration. It is important to consult a doctor if you have an atypical respiration rate, especially if you also have signs of infection or lung disease.

Frequently asked questions