Stroke Association - Worcestershire

About stroke

We provide high quality, up-to-date stroke information for stroke patients, their families and carers

Every year there are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK. That's one stroke every three and a half minutes. Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies.

Stroke changes lives. It can have a huge effect on you and your family. You will most likely want to know as much as you can about what practical, emotional and financial support is available.

In this section, you can read about what you can expect to happen when you have had a stroke, from emergency care to beginning your rehabilitation and recovery and returning to life after stroke.

Recognise the symptoms

You can recognise a stroke using the FAST test:

FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

TIME to call 999.

If a person fails any one of these tests, get help immediately by dialling 999

A speedy response can help reduce the damage to a person’s brain and improve their chances of a full recovery. A delay in getting help can result in death or long-term disabilities.

Don’t ignore temporary symptoms

If symptoms disappear within 24 hours, the person may have had a Transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is also called a mini-stroke.

A TIA is serious and should not be ignored. If you see or experience any of the symptoms described above you must call 999, as there is no way of telling whether you are having a TIA or a stroke when the symptoms first start.

If you think someone has had a TIA and they have not sought medical attention, get them to see their GP urgently. A TIA is a warning sign that they may be at risk of stroke, so they need to see a doctor as quickly as possible.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a brain attack

It happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off. It can be caused by a blockage in one of the blood vessels leading to the brain or a bleed in the brain.

Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to your brain. Without blood your brain cells can be damaged or destroyed.

Strokes affect people in different ways, depending on the part of the brain that is affected, how widespread the damage is and how healthy the person was before the stroke. A stroke can affect the way your body functions as well as your thought processes and how you feel and communicate.

A stroke can also have an emotional impact and can cause problems such as anxiety, depression or changes to your personality.

Find out more about the different types of stroke or about the effects of stroke. 

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to your brain. Blood clots usually form in areas where the arteries have become narrowed or ‘furred’ up by fatty deposits. This is called atheroscelrosis.

As we age our arteries become harder and narrower. However, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can speed up this process and increase your risk of having a stroke.

Medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase your risk of having a stroke.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking and how active you are, can also increase your risk.

Find out about the factors that can increase your risk of stroke and what you can do about them.

Can you recover from a stroke?

All strokes are different. For some people the effects may be relatively minor and may not last long, while others may be left with more serious long term effects.

The quicker you receive treatment, the better your chances for a good recovery, so it’s important to call 999 and get to hospital straight away.

Make sure you know how to recognise the symptoms of stroke.

Contact us

Email: info@stroke.org.uk or write to: Stroke Information Service, Stroke Association, Life After Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8RA.

Stroke Helpline

If you would like information about stroke or sources of support available after a stroke, please contact our Stroke Helpline on 0303 303 3100.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For more information see http://www.stroke.org.uk/support/helpline