Stroke Facts

• A stroke is a brain attack and happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off by either a blockage (an ischaemic stroke) or a bleed (a haemorrhagic stroke)
• When the blood supply is interrupted, the brain doesn't get the oxygen it needs and the brain cells begin to shut down and die.
• A stroke happens when there is something wrong with blood flow and the two major causes of this are either narrowing, "furring", hardening or weakening of the arteries or thickening of the blood
• Stroke is the third biggest killer in the UK, (every year an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke) and is the leading cause of severe disability in adults.
• Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke, and although most people affected are over 65, anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies.
• Some people are more at risk of stroke than others. Although no-one can change their genes or their age, eating healthily, taking more exercise, not smoking and ensuring blood pressure is normal, can all help to prevent stroke.