This is a quick reference guide to:
- recognising stroke, and
- understanding why stroke is a serious medical event.
However, the great news is that 90% of strokes are preventable!
Reduce your risk of stroke by following the suggestions outlined in the box below.
Stroke is a serious health issue and a medical emergency
BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT 90% OF STROKES CAN BE PREVENTED?
You can reduce your risk of stroke by:
- having regular blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol tests, to check whether your levels are normal.
- If they are high your doctor or nurse may suggest ways of reducing them
- having regular checks on the health of your heart. If it is abnormal your doctor may suggest treatment
- stopping smoking.
WHY NOT START TODAY?
Scroll down to find out more about
- What causes stroke?
- How to recognise stroke and transient ischemic attack
- What to do if stroke happens
- Why is stroke a major health issue?
- Risk factors for stroke
What causes stroke?
Stroke is caused by a blockage of blood supply to, or a bleed within, the brain.
How to recognise stroke and transient ischemic attack
- Many people are not aware of the symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and often do not go to hospital if either of these events happen.
- Symptoms of stroke are sudden. Common ones include:
- numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body
- vision problems
- loss of coordination
- confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- severe headache.
- Symptoms of a TIA are similar to stroke, but last only minutes or hours. Only a doctor can tell the difference between a TIA and a stroke. Do not wait to see if it goes away. If someone has the symptoms, phone for emergency medical help immediately.
What to do if stroke happens
- Stroke is a medical emergency. If someone has a stroke, phone for emergency medical assistance urgently.
- Even though the symptoms of a TIA are short-lasting and may not seem severe, a TIA is a medical emergency. Seek medical assistance urgently. Do not wait to see if ‘it goes away’.
Why is stroke a major health issue?
- There are over 13.7 million new strokes each year*. Globally, one in four people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime.**
- Almost 60% of all strokes each year are in people under the age of 70 years.
- 8% of all strokes each year are in people younger than 44 years.
- 52% of all strokes each year occur in men.
- 48% of all strokes each year occur in women. (Source: Global Stroke Fact Sheet, World Stroke Organization)* V. Feigin et al. Global, regional, and national burden of stroke, 1990 to 2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2016. The Lancet Neurology, 2019, forthcoming
** V. Feigin et al. Global, Regional, and Country-Specific Lifetime Risks of Stroke, 1990 and 2016. New Engl J Med 2018;379:2429-2437
Risk factors for stroke
- The main cause of stroke is high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke by 4-6 times
- Several factors have been directly linked to an increased risk of stroke, including those listed below
Direct risk factor for stroke
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Excess alcohol intake
- High blood cholesterol
Which direct stroke risk factors are in your life? Banish them!
Resources
- The INTERSTROKE Study
- The Stroke Association UK: Preventing a stroke
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Questions and Answers About Stroke
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Transient Ischemic Attack Information Page
- World Health Organization (2004) Global Burden of Stroke, Part three: The burden
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Stroke Facts and Statistics
- Global Stroke Fact Sheet: World Stroke Organization