Stroke

A stroke or a 'brain attack' is a kind of brain injury, which occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply for 24 hours or more.

There are two main types of stroke. The most common one is the 'ischaemic' stroke, which happens when blood vessels are blocked by a clot or become too narrow for blood to get through to the brain. The reduced blood flow causes brain cells in the area to die from a lack of oxygen. In a 'haemorrhagic' stroke, the blood vessel is not blocked but it bursts and blood leaks into the brain causing damage.

These processes are similar to what happens in the arteries leading to the heart during a heart attack. This is why a stroke is also called a "brain attack".

Strokes are one of the major health problems worldwide. Anyone at any age can suffer from a stroke, including children. However, nine out of ten stroke patients are over 55. Many people make a good recovery after a stroke. For others, though, a stroke can cause impairment and disability, as well as death.