The Stroke Association of Victoria aims to help those affected by stroke.

What is Stroke?

Click Here to Read Causes of Stroke and Prevention of Stroke

Please explain in simple terms;    What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted and the brain doesn't get the oxygen it needs. Brain cells that are starved of blood begin to shut down and die because they are not receiving the required level of Oxygen. Dead brain cells generally do not recover.

Because the brain controls everything we do, feel, think and remember, damage to the brain affects these abilities. The abilities that are affected will depend on where the stroke happens in the brain, and what functions are actually controlled by that part of the brain.

 

The following is a far more detailed explanation :-

A stroke is caused by an interruption in the supply of blood to a portion of the brain. The interruption is caused by a blockage (Ischaemic Stroke 85%)  or by lost because of bleeding (Haemorrhagic Stroke 15%) and as a result part of the brain does not receive the oxygen it needs;  or

A blood clot that forms somewhere in the body and travels to the brain and lodges in a blood vessel preventing the flow of blood to a part of the brain (Embolic Stroke); or

Cholesterol builds up on the inner wall of the artery to the brain causing narrowing, 'furring', hardening or weakening and eventually blocks the flow of blood to the brain (Thrombotic Stroke); or

An aneurysm which is a thin or weak spot on the wall of a blood vessel can burst, (eg. caused by high blood pressure) and bleed into the brain (Haemorrhagic Stroke).

There are two types of Haemorrhagic Strokes, a Subarachnoid Stroke where bleeding occurs under the membrane surrounding the brain and an Intracerebral Stroke where bleeding occurs within the brain itself.

The type of disability a person suffers depends on the region of the brain affected. Some people may only suffer mild and passing effects. Others may suffer serious and lasting problems associated with such things as memory, speech, mobility, paralysis, vision and behaviour.  Recovery is long and slow, sometimes lasting years, but people can and do improve.

 

Transient Ischaemic Attack  ( TIA )

TIA is often referred to as a "Mini Stroke". The symptoms of a TIA are similar to a stroke and may only last for a few minutes or a few hours and then quickly disappear. It generally does not involve bleeding but is usually caused by a small embolus which is resorbed.  These symptoms MUST be taken seriously as they may be the indicator of an impending major stroke. Consult your doctor immediately who will arrange treatment to help lower the risk of another TIA and a stroke.

 

Atrial Fibrillation ( AF )

AF is the term given to a particular type of irregular heartbeat where the left atrium of the heart beats rapidly and unpredictably. In a healthy heart, all four chambers beat in unison at somewhere between 60 and 100 times a minute. The left atrium of someone with AF can beat irregularly at over 400 times per minute.

If left untreated, AF can increase the risk of stroke from 4 to 6 times and lead to potential heart failure.

 

What are the Symptoms of a Stroke?

The symptoms of a stroke may include all or some of the following -  weakness, numbness or part paralysis in the face, arm and/or leg on the same side of the body, difficulty speaking, headache, difficulty swallowing, loss of vision or dizziness. If you experience these symptoms or see someone suffering these symptoms, even if they only occur for a short duration; telephone  ' 000', on a land line or ' 112' on a mobile immediately.

 

How to Test Suspected Stroke Symptoms. 

If you think that someone is having a stroke ask them to SMILE, ask them to SPEAK a simple sentence, or ask them to RAISE both arms above their head. Ask them to stick out their tongue and if flops to one side or if the person cannot perform any one of the tasks above, CALL ' 000' on a land line or ' 112' on a mobile IMMEDIATELY.

Another way to help recognise the signs of a Stroke are FAST :-

Facial weakness – can the person smile, are their mouth or eyes drooped?

Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?

Speech Difficulties – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

Time to act fast – obtain medical attention immediately

 

Facts About Stroke.

Stroke is a Brain Attack, it is not a heart attack and approximately  

14,000 Victorians suffer a stroke each year. 

Every 30 minutes in Australia, someone dies of a stroke
Every 10 minutes someone has a stroke
Stroke is the third largest killer of Australians after cancer and heart.

Stroke is the greatest cause of disability in our modern community

Stroke does not only affect the elderly, it affects Australians of all ages. It is occurring more in children and younger people in the prime of their life.

Depression is often experienced after a stroke.

The incidence of new stroke cases each year is not declining.

Diabetes trebles the risk of a stroke.

 

Men: Men are at greater risk of stroke than women up until the age of 55 years, after which both sexes have similar risks. Stroke is a major cause of disability and mortality in the elderly.

 

Women: Whilst stroke is considered a disease more commonly affecting men, women are actually twice as likely to die from stroke than men. In addition, females have additional risk factors for stroke such as oral contraceptives, that are not present in men.

 

Unavoidable risk factors include: Age greater than 60 (risk of stroke doubles every decade), male sex, family history of stroke, racial origin.

Family history. Having a close relative with stroke increases the risk, possibly because factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes tend to run in families.

Ethnic background. Asians, Africans or African-Caribbeans are at greater risk. The reasons are not yet fully understood but are partly linked to factors like diabetes, which is more common in Asians, and high blood pressure, which is more common in people of African descent.

PROGNOSIS :

Around 25% of people die in the first one month following an ischaemic stroke, and up to 75% after a haemorrhagic stroke. Furthermore, the patients that survive are at a high risk of further strokes - recurrent strokes happen in 10% of survivors in the first year.

Patients that have survived the initial period after a stroke are usually left with significant disability. Around 1/3 are independently mobile (move on their own), and 1/3 have a severe disability requiring on-going institutional care, and the rest are in between. There is usually some improvement in function after a stroke, although the patient may be left with a severe deficit. The improvement made in the first month can be used to indicate the likely improvement the patient will make in future.

A TIA is a most important prognostic factor or warning sign.. After a patient has one TIA - there is a 40% chance of them suffering a stroke in the next 5 years, and a 25% risk of death due to heart disease or stroke if medical support and health management is not sought.

 

 RECOVERY

How long will it take to recover?
The brain is a remarkable organ and is capable of adapting to change. In the weeks and months following a stroke many partially-damaged cells may recover and start to work again. Meanwhile, other unaffected parts of the brain may take over jobs that were previously performed by the brain cells which have been destroyed.

The length of time it takes to recover varies widely from person to person. It is common to have an initial spurt of recovery in the first few weeks after the stroke as the brain settles down. As a rule, a majority of recovery often takes place during the first year to 18 months, but many people continue to improve over a much longer period.

This is why we always say, 'NEVER GIVE UP'

 

Click Here to Learn About the Causes of Stroke and How to Prevent Stroke

 

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