Figure 1. Patient experiences stroke.
Table of Contents
Overview
The brain is a very active organ in the body and therefore is well connected with blood vessels. The cerebral arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your brain.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a build-up of cholesterol and fats, which form a plaque and a blood clot in the cerebral arteries. The blood clot may dislodge itself allowing blood flow to resume.
The blood vessel may burst and bleed in the brain. This stops the normal blood flow, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes.
A stroke is a serious medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.
In the event of a stroke, pay particular attention to the starting time of the symptoms, which include paralysis/numbness of the face/arm/leg; trouble speaking and understanding others; problems seeing in one/both eyes; headache; trouble walking.
Quick – Call 999 for an ambulance, if you notice any of the symptoms of a stroke by doing the following FAST test:
- Face – Ask the affected person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?
- Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange?
- Time– It is time to immediately call 999, if you see any of these symptoms.
Do not hesitate because the longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.
To prevent a stroke, change to a healthy diet which is low in sodium salt, low in fats, high in fruits and vegetables, moderate alcohol intake, stop smoking, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy body weight.
In England, over 110,000 hospital admissions are attributed to stroke each year. Over 1.1Million people living in England have survived a stroke. Around two thirds of stroke survivors are discharged from hospital in England with some level of disability. Stroke causes around 28,000 deaths in England each year.
Symptoms
The symptoms include paralysis/numbness of the face/arm/leg; trouble speaking and understanding others; problems seeing in one/both eyes; headache; trouble walking.
Causes
The cerebral arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your brain. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a build-up of cholesterol and fats, which form a plaque and a blood clot in the cerebral arteries. This is called ischaemic stroke.
The blood clot may dislodge itself allowing blood flow to resume. This is called Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or mini stroke.
The blood vessel may burst and bleed in the brain. This is called haemorrhagic stroke. The normal blood flow stops, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes.
Figure 2. Man suffers stroke.
The risk factors for stroke include age (over 55 years), Race (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic or BAME), sex (men younger than women), high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol intake, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle, and family history.
Diagnosis & Treatment
The type of stroke will be determined with a brain scan and various other tests and will be treated accordingly. Any prescribed medications should be taken regularly, as directed by the Doctor. Rehabilitation may also be given to help return the patient towards normality.
To prevent a stroke, change to a healthy diet which is low in table (sodium) salt, low in fats, high in fruits and vegetables (for fibre), moderate alcohol intake, stop smoking, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy body weight.
Complications
Stroke can cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on the length of time the brain lacked blood flow and the part of the brain affected. Complications may include paralysis, difficulty in talking and swallowing, memory and thinking difficulties, vascular dementia, emotional problems, pain, changes in behaviour and the ability to care for oneself.
Patients with Stroke and other cardiovascular issues may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. For further details see section on COVID-19 and vaccination.
Stroke
Written by BK Date created/updated 16.07.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 23.07.22
