OVERVIEW

A stroke occurs when flow of blood to the brain is stopped (usually due to blockage, haemorrhage or ischaemia). There are two types of strokes: haemorrhagic or ischaemic.

• A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is a blood vessel in the brain that bursts due to weakness – this causes blood to leak into the brain, resulting in a stroke.
• An ischaemic stroke occurs when arteries become blocked due to plaque (fat, cholesterol and other matter) build up.

Causes

Factors that increase the chance of having a stroke can include:

• Obesity
• Diet high in fat, cholesterol and salt
• Smoking
• Heavy drinking
• High blood pressure

Symptoms

Symptoms of stroke can include:

• Sudden and severe headache
• Changes in hearing, vision and alertness
• Memory loss
• Numbness in body parts
• Muscle weakness
• Face may droop on one side
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing

Treatment

• Medication
• Surgery

For more information, see: http://www.stroke.org.nz/recognising-stroke

When suffering from stroke symptoms, urgent treatment is essential. If you suspect you may be suffering from stroke symptoms, see a medical practitioner immediately.

VIDEOS

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

Local

Stroke Foundation of New Zealand
NZ Guidelines Group – Stroke

International

NHS – Stroke
Best Health BMJ – Stroke
The Stroke Association UK

RESEARCH

Journal of the American Medical Association
British Medical Journal
The Lancet

FORUMS

eHealth Forum – Stroke
MedHelp – Stroke Forum

DISCLAIMER
The information above is of a general nature and is designed to provide you with an overview of the topic, with links to local and international resources that may be of interest.  We do our best to ensure that this information is accurate and up to date.

You should always, however, seek specific professional medical advice, treatment and care appropriate to you, and as such we strongly recommend you consult with your general practitioner first.

Updated April 2012
Image source: Wikimedia Commons – Stroke