About Health

Stroke

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. Like all organs, our brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by our blood to function properly. If the supply is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die which can lead to brain damage and possibly death. Damage caused by a stroke can also affect your bodily functions and mental processes.

There are two main causes of stroke. These are:

Ischaemic (accounting for 70% of all cases): the blood supply is stopped due to a blood clot
Haemorrhagic: a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts and causes brain damage

There is also a related condition known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), where the supply of blood to the brain is temporarily interrupted, causing a sort of 'mini-stroke'. TIAs should be treated very seriously as they are often a warning sign that a more serious stroke is coming.

While stroke can affect anybody at any time, like other cardiovascular conditions and diseases, some people are more at risk of stroke than others. These include those:

over the age of 65;
who smoke;
who are obese;
with diabetes;
who do not eat a healthy, balanced diet;
with high blood pressure;
who drink an excessive amount of alcohol;
from an Afro-Caribbean origin.

Strokes can usually be successfully treated and they can also be prevented. Following a healthy diet, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not smoking will dramatically reduce your risk of having a stroke. Treatment will often involve a combination of surgery and medication and possibly a long period of rehabilitation.