Strokes

STROKES

Signs and Survival

There are different types. By far the most common is an ischaemic stroke. This occurs when a clot cuts off blood flow to part of the brain and it’s the cause of 85% of strokes. Less common is a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in or around the brain when a blood vessel bursts or leaks.

The third kind is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. It happens when there’s a temporary blockage, which usually clears within 24 hours but is a warning you could have a more serious stroke. Always go to A&E if you have signs such as arm or face weakness, or speech problems. Even if they go away.

You can lower your risk. The biggest risk factor is high blood pressure which is not something you will be aware of without testing. It can damage blood vessels, making them stiffer and narrower and causing atheroscierosis, a build up of fatty material which can break off into clots. Blood vessel damage can also lead to bleeding on the brain. High cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, drinking and being overweight also increase your risk.

Make sure you keep an eye on your blood pressure (a home monitor will help you do that), which should ideally be less than 120/80, and get checked for diabetes and cholesterol. You might need medication if lifestyle changes don’t work.

An irregular heartbeat can put you in danger of stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder, means you’re five times more likely to have a stroke. It can cause blood to pool in the heart and clots to form, which can then travel to the brain.

If you heart seems to flutter, beat faster or skip a beat, see you GP. Take your pulse to check if it’s racing or irregular. AF can be controlled with medication.

There are some surprising risk factors Suffering from migraines with aura, having had Covid in the past year and even taking some over-the-counter drugs can slightly increase your chances of a stroke. Researchers have identified a link between high doses or long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDSs), which include ibuprofen, and stokes. In women, having endometriosis, being on the combined contraceptive pill or HRT, or having pre-eclampsia can elevate your risk.

Act fast. Clot-busting drugs have to be given within four and a half hours of a stroke in most cases. A new treatment, thrombectomy, which involves pulling out the clot, can be done within six hours but is not available everywhere.

The acronym FAST is used to remember the most common signs of a stroke. F stands for Face, in particular dropping on one side. A is for Arms (can you raise them?) and S stands for Speech, which could be slurred or hard to understand. T is for Time, meaning you must call the emergency service immediately if you notice any of the first three signs.