Stroke facts
In the UK 111,000 people have a stroke every year, that’s 30 people everyday.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. When the blood supply to the brain is affected it stops it from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to work properly. When this happens areas of the brain begin to stop working.
As the brain is the control centre of our bodies, if it is damaged it can’t do its job properly. This means that damage to the brain will affect how our bodies work. The effects of stroke depend on which part of the brain has been damaged.
So, if a stroke damages the part of the brain that controls how limbs move, limb movement will be affected. The brain is also in charge of how we think, learn, feel and communicate. A stroke can also affect these mental processes.
Stroke affects each person differently, ranging from complete recovery to permanent disability and sometimes death. Recovery can continue for several years after the stroke.
There are two main types of stroke:
Stroke can cause brain tissue to die, and this is called cerebral infarction. An infarct is an area of dead tissue. It can be tiny or affect a larger part of the brain.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A TIA or mini-stroke is when blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a short time. This causes stroke like symptoms that are temporary. A TIA should be treated as a medical emergency as a major stroke may follow.
To find out more about our Stroke Association Drop-In Sessions Click here
- Stroke is the third largest cause of death in the UK
- It is the largest cause of adult disability in the UK
- People who are over 65 years of age are most at risk from having strokes
- However, 25% of strokes occur in people who are under 65 years of age, including children
- People of Afro-Caribbean origin are at increased risk of having a stroke (higher among this ethnic group than any other)
- Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, obesity, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of stroke
- A stroke is sudden and the effects on the body are immediate.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. When the blood supply to the brain is affected it stops it from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to work properly. When this happens areas of the brain begin to stop working.
As the brain is the control centre of our bodies, if it is damaged it can’t do its job properly. This means that damage to the brain will affect how our bodies work. The effects of stroke depend on which part of the brain has been damaged.
So, if a stroke damages the part of the brain that controls how limbs move, limb movement will be affected. The brain is also in charge of how we think, learn, feel and communicate. A stroke can also affect these mental processes.
Stroke affects each person differently, ranging from complete recovery to permanent disability and sometimes death. Recovery can continue for several years after the stroke.
There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic
- Haemorrhagic
Stroke can cause brain tissue to die, and this is called cerebral infarction. An infarct is an area of dead tissue. It can be tiny or affect a larger part of the brain.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A TIA or mini-stroke is when blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a short time. This causes stroke like symptoms that are temporary. A TIA should be treated as a medical emergency as a major stroke may follow.
To find out more about our Stroke Association Drop-In Sessions Click here
