stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency. Recognising a stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner someone who's had a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery. Ambulance staff are trained to assess patients with suspected stroke and take them to an appropriate hospital.

A stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood supply to the brain. When someone has a stroke, there's a range of treatments available, and specialist therapy and support can improve recovery.

There are two types of stroke, which require different types of treatment:

Ischaemic stroke is the most common type, causing 17 out of every 20 cases of stroke. A blood clot or piece of fatty material blocks an artery, restricting the amount of blood and oxygen that can reach the brain.

Haemorrhagic stroke is less common and is caused by a weakened artery bursting, allowing blood to seep out of the artery wall. The blood damages the brain tissue by pressing on it, and at the same time other brain cells can be damaged because they’re not receiving enough oxygen.

Strokes are the leading cause of disability in the UK and the third most common cause of death after cancer and coronary heart disease, but they are largely preventable. Strokes are most common in people over 65, but can happen at any age.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or 'mini-stroke' is similar to a stroke, and has the same symptoms, but gets better within 24 hours. Although a TIA may not itself cause any serious illness, it may be a warning sign of a more serious stroke and always requires further immediate medical attention.