WHAT IS A STROKE?

When the blood supply to the brain is disturbed in some way and brain cells are starved of oxygen causing some cells to die and leaving other cells damaged or dead it's call a STROKE.

Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries (blood vessels) that carries blood to the brain. Brain cells are starved of oxygen causing some cells to die and leaving other cells damaged when the blood supply to the brain was disturbed in some way. This type of stroke is called an inschaemic stroke.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a short-term stroke that lasts for less than 24 hours. The oxygen supply to the brain is restored quickly, and symptoms of the stroke disappear completely. A transient stroke needs prompt medical attention as it is a warning of serious risk of a major stroke.

What are the effects of a stroke?

People can be affected in quite different ways. This partly depends on which area of the brain is damaged, because different parts control different abilities such as speaking, memory, swallowing and moving. The most common signs of a stroke are weakness, paralysis or numbness of the arm and leg. Sometimes the people who have had stroke may be difficult to speak or understand.

What are the risk factors?

• Age over than 40 should have an annual blood pressure check to maintain the high blood pressure.
• Smokers have double the risk of stroke as non-smokers.
• The people who have Diabetes.
• Too much alcohol increases the risk of a stroke.
• Too much intake of oily food also increases the chance.
• Heavy stress.