A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted in some way, causing some cells to become damaged or die and leading to medical complications. A stroke can be fatal or cause substantial brain damage, so when a stroke occurs it is a medical emergency and the quicker it is treated the better.

There are two types of strokes: the most common and accounting for 70% of all cases is the Transient Ischaemic attack (TIA), which is a mini, short term stroke that lasts for less than 24 hours. This is where a blood clot stops the blood supply to the brain. Though it is quickly restored, urgent medical care is recommended as there’s a possibility of a major stroke later on. A cerebral Hemorrhage stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes brain damage.

People aged 65 and over have a higher risk of suffering from a stroke, but cases have been reported in younger people and even children. African-Americans have a greater risk of suffering from a stroke than other races because they have a genetic predisposition for developing diabetes and heart disease, two conditions that causes stroke. Smokers, heavy drinkers, those who are over-weight, those on a poor diet and those with high blood pressure also have increased risk of a stroke.

Strokes can happen suddenly without any warning. Common symptoms include weakness on one side of the body including the limbs and face which causes the mouth to droop, difficulties swallowing or speaking leading to slurred speech, loss of balance or coordination, migraines, confusion and a brief loss of vision. The onset of a stroke may also leave the patient unconscious.

Stroke organizations have come up with the acronym FAST which stands for a set of tests that can be used to check if someone has had a stroke: Facial weakness (can the person smile?), Arm weakness (can the person raise both arms?), Speech problems and Time- the quicker the symptoms are noted and treated the better.

Once a stroke has been diagnosed following the presence of symptoms, a brain scan is undertaken to determine what type of stroke a patient has had, with treatment prescribed accordingly. A cerebral hemorrhage will require medication to dissolve the clot and is given within three hours of the stroke, and anti-clotting medication may also be prescribed to stop more clots from forming.

Further medication and rehabilitation therapies, including speech and occupational therapy and physiotherapy will also be necessary if the stroke has caused physical difficulties.