What is a Stroke? 

Each year in the UK, 100,000 people across all age groups will experience a stroke, which works out at roughly one stroke every five minutes.  

A stroke is when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which then starves that area of oxygen and results in serious, sometimes lasting brain damage, the consequences of which can be devastating to both the individual and their family. 

There are 2 types of stroke, the most common of which is an Ischaemic stroke which accounts for 85% of all strokes. This is when blood and oxygen are prevented from circulating due to a blood clot in the brain or in the arteries leading to the brain. 

Less common is the Hemorrhagic stroke which occurs when a weakened blood vessel within the brain bursts and oxygen is no longer able to reach that area of the brain. 

A Transient Ischaemic Attack or TIA is similar in that a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain produces a set of symptoms that typically only last a few minutes and then are completely resolved as the small blood clot is dislodged and normal blood flow is resumed. However, it is important to contact your GP as soon as possible as a TIA can be indicative of being at higher risk of having a more serious stroke in the future. 

Strokes are responsible for 35,000 deaths annually in the UK, but the good news is that the number of deaths from strokes is going down each year, partly because there is a greater awareness of symptoms, leading to medical help being received more quickly which limits the harmful effects of a stroke.  

If you think that you or your loved one are having a stroke, call 999 immediately. 

The symptoms of a stroke might include: 

  • weakness of an arm or a leg 
  • numbness in an arm or leg 
  • drooping of one side of the face (facial weakness) 
  • a change in speech (slurring or jumbled speech) or understanding speech (dysphasia) 
  • confusion or dizziness
  • a severe headache 
  • lack of awareness of part of the body 
  • a loss of coordination 
  • blurred or lost vision 

The symptoms will differ depending on which part of the brain has been affected.  

However, an easier way of recognising the symptoms of a stroke is to remember the word FAST: 

Face: drooping? 

Arm: weakness? 

Speech: difficulty? 

Time: to dial 999 if you see any of these symptoms 

It is essential to dial for an ambulance as soon as you see these symptoms as speedy, effective treatment can prevent long-term disability and can save lives. 

Reducing the likelihood of a stroke: 

High blood pressure, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise can all contribute significantly to the likelihood of a stroke. Making basic changes to your lifestyle such as exercising more, eating healthily, drinking less alcohol and stopping smoking will all make a positive difference.  

People with an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) are also more at risk of a stroke because if they are not on medication, blood clots could form in the heart which may well become lodged in the brain and cause an ischaemic stroke. Monitoring your atrial fibrillation and treating it effectively with the right prescription will also dramatically reduce your risk of stroke. 

Recovering from a stroke: 

While some people will recover quickly, depending on the symptoms and severity of their stroke, others will need a long period of rehabilitation and may need long-term support to help them regain as much independence as possible. 

If you or a loved one are recovering from the effects of a stroke and need support with everyday tasks, talk to one of the team at Assist Care Group to discuss how we might tailor your care to provide you with support that you need.