Strokes

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted. Brain cells deprived of oxygen and glucose die within minutes, so a stroke is a medical emergency.There are two main types:Ischaemic stroke. Most strokes (about 85%) are ischaemic. An artery supplying the brain is blocked by a thrombus that forms in it, often on an atheroma, or by an embolus carried from elsewhere, such as from the carotid arteries in the neck or from the heart.Haemorrhagic stroke. An artery in or around the brain bursts, for example when an aneurysm ruptures. Blood leaks into the brain tissue, damaging it, and the tissue beyond the burst artery loses its blood supply. High blood pressure makes this type more likely.Effects. The effects depend on which part of the brain is damaged and how much. They can include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, problems with speech and understanding, and loss of vision. Some people recover well, while others are left with long-term disability. Strokes can be fatal.Recognising a stroke. The FAST test helps people spot a stroke quickly: Face (has it dropped on one side?), Arms (can they raise both?), Speech (is it slurred?) and Time (call 999 immediately).A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, is a temporary blockage whose symptoms disappear within 24 hours. It is a warning that a full stroke is more likely.