Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off, starving brain cells of the oxygen they need to work. Most strokes are caused by a clot blocking an artery (ischaemic), while some are caused by bleeding in or around the brain (haemorrhagic). Because brain tissue is damaged quickly, a stroke is always treated as an emergency.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide and affects millions of people each year. Risk rises with age and is higher in people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. However, stroke can happen at any age, including in younger adults and, rarely, in children.

Stroke symptoms come on suddenly. Remember FAST: Face may droop on one side, Arms may be weak or numb, Speech may be slurred or hard to understand, and it is Time to call emergency services. Other warning signs include sudden confusion, vision loss, severe dizziness, trouble walking or a sudden severe headache. Any of these signs means you should seek emergency care at once.

Most strokes are caused by a blood clot or a burst vessel in the brain, often linked to narrowed or damaged arteries. Key risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, an irregular heartbeat, obesity and heavy alcohol use. A family history of stroke and increasing age also raise risk. Many of these factors can be improved with treatment and healthier habits.

Stroke is diagnosed urgently in hospital. Doctors assess your symptoms and use brain scans, such as a CT or MRI, to see whether a stroke has happened and whether it was caused by a clot or by bleeding. This is essential because the two types are treated differently. Blood tests, heart tracing and scans of the blood vessels may also be used to find the cause.

Emergency treatment depends on the type of stroke. Clot-related strokes may be treated to restore blood flow, while strokes caused by bleeding may need treatment to control the bleed and pressure in the brain. After the emergency phase, care focuses on rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy, and on managing risk factors to help prevent another stroke.

Many strokes can be prevented by managing the conditions that damage blood vessels. Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol under control, not smoking, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet and limiting alcohol all lower risk. Treating an irregular heartbeat and following advice for any heart condition are also important. Regular health checks help spot and manage risk factors early.