What is a Stroke?
A stroke is when blood flow to your brain is interrupted or cut off causing brain cells to become damaged or die. It can happen to anyone at any age is considered a medical emergency.
Types of Stroke
There are 3 different types of stroke:
Ischaemic Stroke
This is the most common type of stroke, making up approximately 85% of strokes. It is caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain.
Haemorrhagic Stroke
This is caused by bleeding in or around the brain.
A transient Ischaemic Stroke (Mini Stroke)
A mini stroke happens when there is interruption in blood flow to the brain for a short time, usually seconds or minutes.
The Signs of a Stroke
The signs of a stroke can vary from person to person but will usually appear suddenly.
The best way to remember the signs of a stroke are with the acronym FAST
FACE – Has the person’s facial features changed? Has their face dropped on one side? Have their mouth or eyes drooped? Can they smile when asked?
ARMS – Can the person lift up their arms and keep them there? Are they experiencing numbness in their arms?
SPEECH – Is the person slurring their words? Is the person unable to talk or are they having problems understanding you?
TIME – If you see any of these signs it’s TIME to call 999
Other symptoms
Signs from the FAST test will usually identify the majority of strokes, however, But sometimes there can be other symptoms.
These include:
Blurry or sudden loss of vision
Numbness or paralysis down one side of the body
Problems with balance or coordination
Sudden memory loss or confusion
A sudden and severe headache
Risk factors for a Stroke
There are a few factors that can increase your risk of stroke.
These include:
Your Age. As you age your arteries become narrower, harder and can also become clogged.
Medical Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation.
Family history. If you have a close relative (parent, grandparent or sibling) who has had a stroke.
Ethnicity. You have a higher risk of stroke if you are black or from South Asian families
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating and being overweight.
Lowering your Risk
You can lower your risk for a stroke and other heart diseases by:
Eating healthy
Being active
Maintaining a healthy weight
Reducing your alcohol intake
Not smoking
Maintaining low cholesterol
Maintaining a health blood pressure
What to do
If you think someone is having a stroke then it is vital that you call 999 immediately. Delays in acting may lead to further damage, a longer time in hospital and potentially death.
Support
Stroke Association
The Stroke Association support people to rebuild their lives after a stroke. They also fund critical research and campaign for the best care and support for those affected by a stroke.
For more information on strokes and the support the Stroke Association provide, visit their website: