What is Stroke?

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.Current research suggests that over 150,000 people in the UK over the age of 65 have a stroke every year and the long-term effects cost the NHS an estimated £2.8 billion. 

What are the types of stroke?

Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). A TIA (transient ischemic attack), or "mini stroke", is caused by a temporary clot. 

Typical symptoms to watch out for in a stroke patient are:

• Facial expression can droop, particularly on one side, which would also be accompanied with slurred speech
• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• The person may have trouble seeing clearly
• Loss of co-ordination would be evident with the person experiencing difficulty in walking or standing.  
• The onset of a sever headache could also indicate a stroke.

What do you do if you suspect someone is having a stroke?

You must act quickly because the sooner the person receives treatment, the greater the chances of them making a good recovery. 

What is the Prognosis?

Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body. A common disability that results from stroke is complete paralysis on one side of the body, called hemiplegia. A related disability that is not as debilitating as paralysis is one-sided weakness or hemiparesis. Stroke may cause problems with thinking, awareness, attention, learning, judgment, and memory. Stroke survivors often have problems understanding or forming speech. A stroke can lead to emotional problems.

Stroke patients may have difficulty controlling their emotions or may express inappropriate emotions. Many stroke patients experience depression. Stroke survivors may also have numbness or strange sensations. The pain is often worse in the hands and feet and is made worse by movement and temperature changes, especially cold temperatures.

Recurrent stroke is frequent; about 25 percent of people who recover from their first stroke will have another stroke within 5 years.

A stroke is serious, just like a heart attack. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Most often, stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops because it is blocked by a clot. When this happens, the brain cells in the immediate area begin to die.

Some brain cells die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Other brain cells die because they are damaged by sudden bleeding into or around the brain. The brain cells that don't die immediately remain at risk for death. These cells can linger in a compromised or weakened state for several hours. With timely treatment, these cells can be saved.

What can cause a stroke?

Each type of stroke has different causes. They include:

• Diseased arteries - blockage of the arteries is usually the result of atherosclerosis, furring and narrowing of the artery walls with a mixture of cholesterol and other debris
• Aneurysm - a weakened spot on an artery wall causes it to stretch. The vessel wall may become so thin it bursts, causing bleeding into the brain (haemmorhagic stroke)

• Atrial fibrillation - this kind of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) can cause a blood clot to form in the heart, which then travels to the brain

Therefore, stroke prevention is still the best medicine.

4 ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke.

1. Cigarette smoking. STOP NOW!  Medical help is available to help you give up. 
2. High-Blood-Pressure.  A healthy, balanced diet taken with regular exercise will greatly reduce the risks of developing high blood pressure.  In some case, medication may be prescribed to help.
3. Diabetes. Detection is critical, so if you think you may have diatetes have it checked out by your doctor.  A delay in treatment can result in complications, which may increase the chances of a stroke.
4. Heart disease. Regular heart check-ups are vital if you think you may be at risk from a stroke.  Aspirin therapy may be prescribed as a preventative medication and your doctor will advise you on how to maintain a healthy way of life.

On-going Research.

There is a very active stroke network, which includes a number of very active organisations; the Stroke Research Network, the UK Stroke Forum and the National Institute for Health Research.  In addition, the government has formed the National Stroke Strategy funded by a new single health research fund.  Research has centred on identifying the key risks associated with strokes and whether genetics has any part to play in this disease.  

Thanks to the ongoing research new advances in medicine and particularly, rehabilitation have shown that the brain’s ability to compensate of any loss of function is excellent.

Currently, The Stroke Association invests approximately £2.5million per year into vital stroke research.  Some of its key findings so far have shown that:

• People who maintain a good level of fitness after the age of 40, can reduce the risk of stroke by as much as 50% reduction in stroke risk compared to those who do not take regular exercise.
• Speed in treating strokes is critical as it has been shown that in minor strokes, up to 80% of the potential damage is mitigated if treatment is delivered quickly.