What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This happens when a blood vessel, known as an artery in the brain becomes blocked (a clot) or bleeds (a brain haemorrhage).

The brain controls everything we do and is divided into many parts with each part having it's own job. What you are able to do, or not do after a stroke, depends on the size of the damage and where in the brain the damage has happened.

If you or someone you know has the following signs they need to ACT FAST and dial 999

Facial weakness Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

Arm or leg weakness.......

Speech problems, they find it hard to talk, understand, read, or write.  Some people may find it harder to eat and drink.

Time to call 999

It is important to remember that NO two people who have a stroke are the same.  Each stroke is different.

Some people may get better quickly, but many take several months, people may carry on getting better slowly for many years.  Sadly some people may always find some tasks difficult, and the person who has had the stroke and their family need to know that it takes time, a lot of patience and often hard work to begin to walk, to speak, to wash. To do the things we normally take for granted.

Some people are more at risk if they have high blood pressure, high levels of fat called cholesterol in their blood, drink too much alcohol, smoke a lot, or have diabetes.  BUT people may have or do none of these factors, and still have a stroke.

You may hear doctors call a stroke a CVA or Cerebral Vascular Accident.

You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by leading a healthy lifestyle
If you smoke, try to stop
Eat a healthy diet – fruit and vegetables are good for you, fatty foods are not.  Use vegetable oil when cooking.  Use less salt.
Take regular exercise
If you are overweight, this may increase your risk.

If you drink alcohol – the sensible drinking guidelines state women should not drink more than two or three small glasses of wine a day. Men no more than one and a half or two pints of weak beer, or three measures of spirit like whisky.

If you have high blood pressure have it checked regularly.  You may not feel unwell but it is important you take any tablets the doctor gives you.  People with untreated high blood pressure are more likely to have a stroke.

A mini-stroke or you may hear it called a transient ischaemic attack or TIA is like a stroke but what happens only lasts a few minutes or up to a day.
The brain is divided into many parts, each part controlling different actions.  In a mini-stroke the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off for a short time because a blood vessel becomes temporarily blocked.
This may cause some of the following:

It is important if you or some one you know finds this happening they see their doctor as soon as possible.  Other conditions can cause some of these but it is important you see your doctor to try and find out why it is happening to you.   Ask to be referred to a specialist stroke service.  If it is a mini-stroke, treatment may be needed to help reduce your risk of having a major stroke or another mini-stroke.  Not all people who have a mini-stroke will have another one.

You can help yourself  by trying to eat a healthy diet, have your blood pressure checked, try not to smoke, be overweight or drink too much alcohol, and take some exercise.

Information is available on stroke and its effects from Dudley Stroke Association or can be downloaded from  The Stroke Association

For help with everyday activities, such as washing and dressing, meals an assessment is needed by Social Services

Information about services available in Dudley can be accessed on
www.dudley.gov.uk/health-social-care