A stroke occurs when blood supply is cut off to the brain and is a life-threatening condition. Depending on the severity of the stroke and how quickly the person having a stroke receives medical assistance, lasting long-term problems may be prevalent after the stroke.
There are two main causes of a stroke which are:
- A blocked artery – ischaemic stroke
- A leaking or burst blood vessel – haemorrhagic stroke
The most common type of stroke is an ischaemic stroke as a result of a blocked artery which causes a disruption of blood flow to the brain. A type of ischaemic stroke that doesn’t have any long-term problems is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also referred to as being a ‘mini-stroke’, which is when the disruption of blood flow to the brain is temporary. In the case of an ischaemic stroke, the blood vessels in the brain become narrowed and/or blocked, caused by fatty deposits, blood clots or other debris travelling in the bloodstream.
A haemorrhagic stroke is the less common of the two types of stroke, but is the most severe. Haemorrhagic strokes damage brain cells and may lead to increased pressure on the brain which means that long-lasting medical problems are more likely.
What are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
You may already be familiar with FAST which is how the NHS recommends remembering the main signs of someone having a stroke and what to do if someone has a stroke. This stands for:
- Face – one of the most common signs of a stroke is one half of someone’s face drooping and/or being unable to smile
- Arms – someone suffering from a stroke may be unable to raise both their arms through weakness and/or numbness in one arm
- Speech – slurred speech or being unable to talk entirely
- Time – call the emergency services immediately
Can You Recover from a Stroke?
The quicker someone receives medical attention when having a stroke, the more likely they are to survive and make a full recovery. Strokes can be fatal if the person does not receive treatment in time, whether they are suffering from a mini-stroke, ischaemic stroke or haemorrhagic stroke.
Those who have survived a stroke are likely to require care assistance, at least in the short to mid-term, while many will need long-term care. KASE Care offers specialised care services for those who have suffered from a stroke, offering home care visits, live-in care services and further therapies including:
- Physiotherapy
- Psychologist
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
How to Prevent a Stroke?
A stroke can affect anyone, but some of the factors that can increase the risks of having a stroke include obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol. To reduce the risks of having a stroke, you should eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking (if you are a smoker) and reduce the number of units of alcohol consumed on a weekly basis.
Are Strokes Hereditary?
Strokes themselves are not hereditary but may be brought on by rare conditions that are hereditary.
Contact KASE Care Today
If you or someone you know would benefit from after stroke care services, please get in contact with a member of the KASE Care team today to discuss your requirements.
