Stroke

Watch the stroke video

Did you know? In the UK, 150,000 people suffer a stroke each year 67,000 people die from a stroke every year in the UK Stroke costs the NHS nearly £3 billion per year Stroke is the third most common cause of death in England and Wales

Causes of stroke

 A stroke is caused by an interruption to the blood supply to the brain from a clot or burst blood vessel. The two main causes of strokes are:

Ischaemic – the most common form of stroke caused by a blood cot stopping blood supply to the brain.
Haemorrhagic – when a weakened blood vessel which supplies blood to the brain bursts resulting in brain damage.

Another condition known as Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) temporarily stops the supply of blood to the brain causing a mini-stroke. A TIA is often a warning sign that a full stroke will occur.

Symptoms of stroke

Symptoms of a stroke vary due to different parts of the brain controlling different body parts but signs of a stroke usually appear suddenly. Stroke symptoms can be identified using the word FAST:

• Face – when a stroke occurs, the face may fall on one side and a person has difficulty smiling or talking. Their vision may also be affected as the eye droops.
• Arms – the arms can become weak and the affected person may not be able to raise them up and hold them in position.
• Speech – speech can become slurred.
• Time – in the event of stroke it is important to call an ambulance immediately. For every minute that passes nearly 2 million brain cells are lost.

Other symptoms associated with a stroke include:

• poor coordination
• problems with balance
• dizzy spells
• headaches
• problems swallowing
• numbness on one side of the body
• falling unconscious

The symptoms of a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) are similar to a stroke but last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours before easing and completely disappearing. There is a 1 in 5 chance that a TIA will become a full stroke within four weeks so seek medical help immediately.

High risk groups for stroke after a TIA include:

• people with diabetes
• those aged 60 or above
• people with high blood pressure
• those who have a TIA lasting one hour or more
• people who have weakness and problems with speech during the TIA

Diagnosis of stroke

In the event of a stroke call 999 for an ambulance. A diagnosis will be made once you have been stabilised at the hospital whereupon you'll be referred for brain imaging scans (CT and MRI).

To identify the cause of the stroke you may need blood tests, blood pressure tests and an echocardiogram.

Related terms

Brain
Blood clot
Blood supply
Thrombosis
Haemorrhage
Embolism
Neurological
Cerebrovascular
Numbness