Earliest availability 08 Oct
Dr Nikhil Sharma
Consultant Neurologist
Specialist expertise: Headache, Migraine, Stroke, Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Neurology.
Stroke and Vascular Disorders of the Nervous System
A stroke is a serious medical condition that happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to part of the brain, resulting in damage to brain cells.
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What is a stroke and what causes it?
A stroke occurs when there is a problem with the blood supply to part of the brain, resulting in damage to brain cells.
Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential. The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
The effects of a stroke depend on where it takes place in the brain, and how big the damaged area is. The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have drooped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake, or they may have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
There are 2 main causes of stroke:
- Ischaemic - where the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, usually because of a blood clot. This is the most common type of stroke (85% of all cases).
- Haemorrhagic - where a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts, leading to bleeding inside the brain or over its surface.
There is also a related condition called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), where the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. This is known as a mini-stroke. It can last a few minutes or persist up to 24 hours.
Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors increase the risk of having a stroke, including:
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- high cholesterol
- irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation)
- diabetes
- smoking
Is it possible to prevent a stroke through medical treatment?
The risk of having a stroke can be significantly reduced by:
- eating well
- taking regular exercise
- following alcohol advice (not drinking more than 14 units a week)
- quitting smoking
Useful resources can be found on the nhs.uk website via the hyperlinks above. If you have a condition that increases your risk of a stroke, it's important to manage it effectively. For example, taking medicine you've been prescribed to lower high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
If you've had a stroke or TIA in the past, these measures are particularly important because your risk of having another stroke is greatly increased.
Are some vascualr disorders more serious than others?
All strokes are different. For some people the effects may be relatively minor and may not last long. Others may be left with more serious problems that make them dependent on other people.
Unfortunately, some strokes can be very serious and some may lead to coma or sudden death. That’s why it’s so important to be able to recognise the symptoms and get medical help as quickly as possible.
What are the treatment options available?
Treatment depends on the type of stroke, which part of the brain is affected and what caused it.
Strokes are usually treated with medicine. This includes medicines to dissolve blood clots blocking the blood supply, prevent further blood clots from forming, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.
In some cases, a procedure known as mechanical thrombectomy may be required to remove the blood clots. Surgery may also be needed to treat brain swelling and reduce the risk of further bleeding if this was the cause of the stroke.
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