Patient Information > Stroke

Stroke

What is a stroke?
Causes
Long term effects and complications
Treatment

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when part of your brain does not receive enough oxygen. It can kill you.

A mini stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic attack) is when the symptoms of a stroke do not last as long.

If the brain is deprived of oxygen-rich blood for any length of time, brain cells are damaged or die.

The affected cells are not able to communicate effectively with the parts of the body they usually serve, or perform the functions they usually control. This results in a temporary or permanent loss of function, depending on how serious the stroke is, where the damage is and the amount of damage done.

Causes

There are two main types of stroke and each one has a different cause.

Long term effects and complications

The effects of a stroke vary, depending on how serious the stroke was and the part of the brain that was involved. Although people can completely recover from a stroke, a partial recovery is more usual and people are often left with some permanent damage.

The road to recovery after a stroke involves working on the parts of the body that have been damaged by the stroke, and depends on your own determination to succeed and your own positive outlook.

Although a stroke is a devastating experience, it is important to have a positive attitude during your recovery, and to remember that part of your recovery will involve learning new skills and new ways of doing things that you previously took for granted. It is also important that you take things slowly. Recovery is a gradual process, so don’t get disheartened but set yourself small goals and try to relax and think positive.

Don’t try to do too much too soon. You will get better more quickly if you try to achieve as much as possible.

Also remember that you are not on your own. You may have friends or family who can help you, but you can also rely on a whole team of medical professionals who will help you as much as possible. This team may include your hospital consultant, GP, nurses, therapists and social workers.

Treatment

A stroke is treated as an emergency. As soon as your doctor has diagnosed a stroke, it is important to prevent any further damage taking place.

Your blood pressure will be checked and if it is high, you will be given medication to lower it.

If a blood clot has caused your stroke, you will be given medication to thin your blood to make it less sticky and less likely to clot. It will take a lot of time and effort to get better after a stroke, but in the days, weeks and months after your stroke, your brain will be working to rebuild damaged cells, and it will also be learning new ways of doing things that were previously done by the damaged cells.

If you have had a stroke, you are already at risk of it happening again. Make sure you take all your medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes, and make sure that your lifestyle is as healthy as possible.

• If you smoke, stop now.
• Eat at least five (but ideally seven to 10) portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
• Cut down on salt, fats and sugars in your diet.
• Take some moderate exercise every day (walking, swimming and cycling are ideal).
• Lose weight if you need to.
• If you drink alcohol, do not drink more than two to three units each day for men or one to two units each day for women. Don’t binge drink and make sure you have alcohol-free days in the week.