Stroke explained

Blood carries oxygen and nutrients for your brain cells.

If blood can’t get through, your brain can be injured. Your arteries can get blocked, which is called an ischemic stroke. Or your arteries can break, which is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

The F.A.S.T. test is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke.

If you see any of the signs, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) straight away. Even if you aren’t sure, or the signs only last for a few minutes, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) .

After a suspected stroke everyone should have a brain scan.

Stroke affects everyone differently#

It depends on: How badly it was injured. Rehabilitation is where you work on things that have changed since your stroke. Your rehabilitation team will help you to do things again and find new ways to do things.

The F.A.S.T. test is an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. is critical. If you see any of these signs call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) straight away.

If you suddenly experience any of these symptoms, get to a hospital immediately#

Remember, a stroke is a life-threatening emergency. There can be other signs too: Your face, arm or leg can be numb, clumsy, weak, or paralyzed. This can be on one or both sides of your body Nausea and vomiting.

If you see any of the signs of stroke, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) straight away. Even if you aren’t sure, or the signs only last for a few minutes, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) . A stroke risk factor increases your risk of having a stroke.

Stroke risk factors include:

• Medical problems can also cause strokes
• These things increase women’s risk of having a stroke
• After a stroke
• your doctor will talk to you about your risk factors. They’ll let you know what you need to do to lower your risk of another stroke. They’ll talk with you about being active
• eating well
• being a healthy weight
• avoiding alcohol
• stopping smoking

They’ll prescribe medication to lower your risk of having another stroke.

Tests vary from person to person#

Some of them include: take detailed pictures of your brain.

After a suspected stroke, everyone should have a brain scan#

Doctors determine if you have had a stroke by looking at the scan. The scan shows which part of your brain was injured and how badly., CT angiogram or MRI show how the blood flows through the arteries. An electrocardiogram (ECG) tests for abnormal heart rhythm. You may also need to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours or longer.

Your doctor may also order an echocardiogram#

After an initial check of your blood pressure, you will need it checked regularly. Your doctor will discuss your test results with you.

You may be given medication to clear your artery.

This is called thrombolysis#

You may have an operation to unblock the artery. This is called thrombectomy or endovascular clot retrieval (ECR). Doctors and nurses may give you medication to slow down or stop the bleeding in your brain.

You may need an operation to remove blood, relieve pressure or repair an artery in your brain.

You may also need treatment for medical problems that caused your stroke#

Stroke affects everyone differently#

It depends on: How badly it was injured.

After a stroke, you may experience some of the changes listed below#

Your arms, legs and hands may not work like they used to. This can change how you sit, stand, balance, walk and move.

Your muscles may be weak and floppy#

They may be stiff and tight#

Your brain may have trouble getting them to move. You may find: You have trouble reading and writing.

This is called aphasia#

If the muscles you use to talk don’t work properly, your speech may be slurred.

You may have trouble swallowing#

Food and drink can go down the wrong way. It can get into your lungs instead of your stomach.

This can make you sick#

It may be hard to: Remember things that just happened. You may find you: Say or do things that seem a bit strange. Your vision can change: Your eyes may be more sensitive to light. You may find how things taste or smell is different.

You may find you: Feel touch, hot and cold differently.

Have no feeling or have pins and needles#

Feel overwhelmed when you are in a busy, noisy place. You may feel pain if a part of your body is injured.

Stiff and tight muscles can cause pain#

You may also feel pain because of changes in your brain, even though you are not injured. You may not know you need to go to the toilet. Movement changes can make it hard to get to the toilet in time. Stroke can change how your body feels, and how you feel about yourself.

You may have trouble with: Feeling sad, worried or tired. is a feeling of weariness, tiredness or lack of energy.

Fatigue is common after a stroke#

It’s normal to have strong feelings after a stroke.

You may be worried, scared, sad, embarrassed, grateful or hopeful#

Emotional lability is when your emotional responses don’t make sense.

You may laugh at something sad#

You may laugh or cry uncontrollably#

It’s normal to feel sad or worried after a stroke. Depression and anxiety are different – they are medical conditions.

Depression and anxiety make life hard#

Depression: if you: Feel sad or down for more than two weeks.

Lose interest in things you enjoy#

Have no energy#

Find it hard to concentrate#

Can’t sleep or sleep more than usual. Anxiety: if you: Feel nervous a lot of the time.

Find it hard to calm down#

Feel restless or fidgety#

Never ignore the signs of depression and anxiety#

You can get treatment#

Most people get better#

Talk with your doctor#

Let your family and friends know how you are feeling. Rehabilitation is where you work on things that have changed since your stroke.

There are different types of rehabilitation services#

It depends on what’s best for you and what’s available in your area. Your rehabilitation team will help you to do things again and find new ways to do things.

Rehabilitation helps your brain change#

If part of your brain has been injured, a different part can learn to take over its job. It takes a lot of work to make this happen. You’ll need to do exercises and practice doing things over and over.

After a stroke, most people need to take medication for the rest of their life. Your doctor may prescribe: Blood thinning medication.

Always talk with your doctor before you: Change how much you take#

If you see any of the signs of stroke, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) immediately.

Even if you aren’t sure, or the signs go away, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) . StrokeLine’s allied health professionals provide advice on stroke prevention, treatment and recovery. StrokeLine is a free and confidential service.

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. A stroke is when blood can’t get to all parts of your brain Which part of your brain was injured Signs of a stroke Face.

Check their face#

Has their mouth drooped? Arms. Can they lift both arms? Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? Time Feeling dizzy, losing balance, or falling over for no reason Losing your vision. This can be in one or both eyes Headache, usually severe and sudden Trouble swallowing Causes High blood pressure High cholesterol Atrial fibrillation Diabetes Not being physically active Unhealthy eating Being overweight Drinking alcohol Smoking Weak or tangled arteries in the brain A hole in the heart Heart problems Taking the contraceptive pill Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Being pregnant Tests Brain scans Computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Imaging of the arteries Ultrasound Heart tests Blood tests.

You may need cholesterol Blood pressure check Treatment Ischemic stroke Hemorrhagic stroke Changes after stroke Which part of your brain was injured Walk and move Talk, understand, read, write It’s hard to think of the right word You use the wrong word You don’t understand what someone is saying Swallow Think and remember Pay attention Figure out how to do things Personality Don’t feel like doing things Get annoyed easily Do things without thinking it through Vision You may have a blind spot See double Things may be blurry Your eyes may move all the time Touch, taste, smell Don’t know where parts of your body are Ignore people and things on one side of your body Pain Going to the toilet Sex How well you can move Muscle weakness, stiffness or tightness How you feel touch, as well as pain How you go to the toilet Fatigue Fatigue Emotions Depression and anxiety you may have depression you may have anxiety Rehabilitation Medication Blood pressure lowering medication Cholesterol lowering medication Stop taking a medicine

Where to get help#

Key Points#

• test is an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke
• If you suddenly experience any of these symptoms, get to a hospital immediately
• stroke risk factor increases your risk of having a stroke
• They’ll let you know what you need to do to lower your risk of another stroke
• They’ll prescribe medication to lower your risk of having another stroke