Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 12:15

Every year in the UK, around 130,000 people have a first stroke - about one person every five minutes

A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of your brain, causing damage to brain cells. Its effects can be devastating and may last a lifetime.

There are two main types of strokes.

• Haemorrhagic stroke. These are more rare and occur when a vessel supplying blood to the brain bursts, causing a bleed into or around the brain tissue.

• Ischaemic stroke is the most common type of stroke - a narrowing or blockage forms in a blood vessel leading to the brain and prevents blood supply to a part of the brain.

Symptoms of a stroke include; Numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body. Slurred speech or difficulty finding words or understanding speech. Blurred vision or loss of vision. Dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness or severe headache

Strokes can affect people of any age however most strokes after the age of 55. There are a number of things people can do to help avoid a stroke:

• Don't smoke

• Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and weight under control

• Only drink alcohol within safe recommended limits

• Take regular exercise

• Take medication as advised