Stroke
Stroke
What is stroke?
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Strokes are a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Ischemic strokes
Ischaemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, occur when blood clots block the flow of blood to the brain. Blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have been narrowed or blocked by fatty cholesterol-containing deposits known as plaques.
Haemorrhagic strokes
Haemorrhagic strokes (also known as cerebral haemorrhages or intracranial haemorrhages) usually occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds into the brain (intracerebral haemorrhage). In about 5% of cases, the bleeding occurs on the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Stroke are : (They can be remembered in the following ‘FAST’ )
Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile as their mouth or eye may have dropped
Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift one or both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness
Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake
Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms
There are other signs and symptoms which may include: numbness or weakness resulting in complete paralysis of one side of the body sudden loss of vision dizziness communication problems, difficulty talking and understanding what others are saying problems with balance and coordination difficulty swallowing sudden and severe headache, unlike any the person has had before, especially if associated with neck stiffness blacking out (in severe cases)
Why do strokes happen?
Like all organs, the brain needs the oxygen
What is stroke?
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Strokes are a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Ischemic strokes
Ischaemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, occur when blood clots block the flow of blood to the brain. Blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have been narrowed or blocked by fatty cholesterol-containing deposits known as plaques.
Haemorrhagic strokes
Haemorrhagic strokes (also known as cerebral haemorrhages or intracranial haemorrhages) usually occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds into the brain (intracerebral haemorrhage). In about 5% of cases, the bleeding occurs on the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Stroke are : (They can be remembered in the following ‘FAST’ )
Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile as their mouth or eye may have dropped
Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift one or both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness
Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake
Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms
There are other signs and symptoms which may include: numbness or weakness resulting in complete paralysis of one side of the body sudden loss of vision dizziness communication problems, difficulty talking and understanding what others are saying problems with balance and coordination difficulty swallowing sudden and severe headache, unlike any the person has had before, especially if associated with neck stiffness blacking out (in severe cases)
Why do strokes happen?
Like all organs, the brain needs the oxygen