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.

Preventing a Stroke

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

Stroke Symptoms

Prompt Medical attention in the event of a stroke can have a significant effect on a persons chance of recovery so it's important to be able to recognise the symptoms.

• numbness, tingling, paralysis of the face, arm or leg

• sudden blurred or limited vision in one or both eyes

• sudden difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying

• sudden dizziness,

• loss of balance,

• difficulty with movements

• sudden intense headache, often on one side or down the neck

• a brief episode of confusion.

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