Strokes

Stroke is a serious medical condition. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is adversely affected in either of two ways. Ischaemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is occluded by a blood clot (70% of strokes are of this sort). Haemorrhagic stroke is where one of the blood vessels in the brain ruptures. In both cases damage is caused to the brain leading to the symptoms associated with stroke i.e loss of speech, loss of the use of one side of the body and eyesight disturbance.

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination;
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

As we get older our arterial health decreases, this added to the following factors can increase our risk of stroke.

• Smoking,
• High blood pressure (hypertension),
• Obesity,
• High cholesterol levels
• A family history of heart disease, or diabetes.
• Diabetes is also a risk factor, particularly if it is poorly controlled because the excess glucose in the blood can damage the arteries.

Consider giving up smoking, see your GP for advice and support with this;

• be physically active;
• eat healthy foods;
• watch your weight;
• avoid excessive alcohol;
• have regular check-ups;
• control your cholesterol;
• keep tabs on your blood pressure;
• keep diabetes in check.