Stroke is the 4th biggest cause of death in men in the UK. Every year there are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off. This can damage your brain cells, leading to death, or long-term physical and/or mental effects if you survive. If a person survives a stroke, this can affect the way their body functions, how they feel, communicate or think.
Risks for stroke include having diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking or a sedentary lifestyle. These risks can include the chances of blood clots forming and blocking the flow of blood to the brain. Strokes are also more prevalent in people over 65.
The most common signs that someone is having a stroke are well summarised by Public Health England’s FAST campaign below:
– FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
– ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
– SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
– TIME: If you see any of the first three signs, it’s to call 999.
If you are worried about your risk of stroke, as always, go to see your doctor, and seek out quality information. Good sources are below:
The Blue Ribbon Foundation acts as a signposting service to specialist websites containing more detailed information on specific illnesses and conditions. We endeavour to ensure all information presented here is up-to-date and gathered from multiple respected sources. However, the data presented on this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of this information in respect to specific concerns or questions you may have about your own health. If you are concerned about your own health, it is imperative you seek professional medical advice at the earliest opportunity.