There are two types of stroke: ischaemic, where the blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot; and haemorrhagic, where a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain leaks or ruptures. You might have also heard of a transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini or warning stroke. These can often lead to a full stroke, so need to be taken seriously.  

 

Spotting a stroke 

The FAST anagram can be useful for recognising some of the main symptoms of a stroke: 

  • Face – has the face dropped on one side or are they struggling to smile? 
  • Arms – can they lift both arms and hold them there? 
  • Speech – is their speech slurred or garbled, or are they unable to talk? 
  • Time – don’t wait to call an ambulance, as immediate treatment has a big impact on recovery 

 

Lowering your risk of a stroke 

High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke, but others include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, not enough exercise, obesity, taking drugs, and heavy drinking.  

If a close family member has had a stroke, you’re more at risk. Ethnicity can also be a factor – strokes are more common in people who are Black or South Asian. And the older you are, the more at risk you are. Risk factors like these can’t be changed.  

But you can manage many stroke risks by living healthily. By keeping to a healthy weight, cutting stress, drinking sensibly, staying active, quitting smoking, and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and not too much salt and saturated fats.  

With World Stroke Day just around the corner, now’s a good time to focus on getting and staying healthy. The rewards could be well worth it.

 

References