What is a stroke?
Quick Answer
A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, damaging brain cells.
The Full Story
About 85 percent of strokes are ischaemic, caused by a clot blocking an artery, while the rest are haemorrhagic, caused by bleeding. Brain cells begin dying within minutes without oxygen, so speed is vital: the FAST test checks for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call emergency services. Clot-busting drugs and mechanical clot removal can greatly improve outcomes if given quickly. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Every minute counts — how to spot a stroke"