STROKE - ACT F.A.S.T.

Stroke is a brain attack and can happen to anyone indiscriminately. Having a close relative who has had it increases the risk. Medical conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are also likely to increase the risk of getting it.

Source: nhs.uk

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a ‘brain attack’ caused by a disturbance of the blood supply to the brain.

There are two main types of stroke, which require different types of treatment:

Ischaemic stroke
 

The most common form of stroke. It is caused by a clot narrowing or blocking blood vessels so that blood cannot reach a particular area of the brain. This leads to the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen.

Haemorrhagic stroke
 

Caused when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts. This produces bleeding into the brain, which leads to damage.

What is a TIA?
 

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is also called 'mini-stroke'. It is similar to a stroke and has the same signs, but gets better within 24 hours. However, it could be a warning sign of a more serious stroke and it is vital that it gets the same F.A.S.T. action by calling 999.

Why you must Act F.A.S.T.
 

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. So recognising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner somebody who is having a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery.

Rapid diagnosis of TIA (mini-stroke) allows urgent steps to be taken to reduce the risk of having a stroke.

Reducing your risk
 

Some people are more at risk of having a stroke if they also have certain other medical conditions. These include:

• High blood pressure


• High cholesterol


• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)


• Diabetes

It is important that these conditions are carefully monitored and treated.

The risk of having a stroke is higher amongst people in certain ethnic groups, including South Asian, African and Caribbean. This is partly because high blood pressure and diabetes are more common in these groups.

There are also lifestyle factors that may increase the risk of having a stroke. They include:

• Smoking


• Being overweight


• Lack of exercise


• Poor diet


• Exceeding the recommended daily alcohol limit.

  The NHS recommends women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day and men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.

Leading a healthy, active lifestyle is vital to help reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Here's how it feels to have a stroke

However, the good news is that you can do something to reduce your chances of getting it.

• Watch your diet - reduce your intake of:
  * fatty foods which cause the build up of cholesterol in the blood,
  * salt which can lead to high blood pressure
  * alcohol. Regular heavy drinking raises blood presure and binge drinking can cause a blood vessel in the brain to burst.


• Stop smoking - smoking causes high blood pressure and tobacco smoke can damage your blood vessel walls.


• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly.


• Exercise for half an hour everyday. Regular exercise help to burn off fat and keep the heart and bloodstream healthy.


• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Stroke patients have to be very patient as the recovery may take some time. In severe cases, they may cause long-term disability.

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