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Could it be a Stroke?

Could it be a Stroke?

If you have any symptom, act FAST

Stroke 2

Could it be a
Stroke?

If you have any symptom, act FAST

Face – is it drooping on one side?

Arms – is there arm weakness? Can they be raised?

Speech - is it slurred?

Time to get to hospital as soon as possible.

Other symptoms can include:

• Problems with balance and coordination

• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight

• Weakness or numbness down one side of the body

• Communication problems in talking or understanding what others are saying

• Difficulty swallowing

• Severe headache. 

If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is important to also seek medical attention as soon as possible.

    Over the past 10 years there has been a 23% increase here in the number of people registered with their GP as having had a stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)¹, often referred to as a mini stroke.

    It is estimated that up to 1.9 million brain cells can die every minute when someone has a stroke.

    The sooner a potential stroke is recognised, and the faster medical help is sought, the better the chances of survival and reducing the potential long-term effects of a stroke are.

    Knowing the FAST acronym and acting FAST at the first sign of stroke is vital.

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    What is a Stroke?

    A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted reducing the supply of oxygen. If brain cells lose their supply of oxygen, they become damaged.

    There are two different types of stroke:

    Ischaemic Stroke – This is the most common type of stroke were a blockage, such as a blood clot, cuts off the blood supply to the brain.
    Haemorrhagic Stroke     – This type of stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain

    If brain cells lose their supply of oxygen from the blood, they can be damaged or die.

    The symptoms of a stroke depend on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage. No two strokes are the same and recovery is different from person to person.

    The ‘T’ in F.A.S.T is very important as the longer the affected part of the brain is without blood, the greater the residual damage will be.

    Find out more about Stroke:

    • A Transient Ischaemic Stroke (TIA) also known as a ‘mini-stroke’ is a set of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours but the symptoms disappear within 24 hours.

      In a TIA, a blood vessel in the brain is temporarily blocked by a clot, but the body breaks down the clot before any lasting damage is done to the brain.

      But a clot is a clot. It may be temporary but it should not be ignored because it is a serious warning that something is wrong with the blood flow to your brain and a full stroke could happen in the future.

      If you have a mini stroke (TIA), you have an increased chance of having a full stroke. 1 in 10 people who have a mini stroke have a full stroke within a week.

      The symptoms of a mini stroke/TIA are the same as the symptoms of a full stroke, though they disappear within 24 hours:

      Face – is it drooping on one side?

      Arms – is their arm weakness? Can they be raised?

      Speech - is it slurred?

      Time to get to hospital as soon as possible.

      Other symptoms of a mini stroke may include:

      • Blurred or reduced vision
      • Difficulty understanding
      • Dizziness or loss of balance
      • Difficulty swallowing
      • Severe headache
      • Nausea or vomiting

      As the symptoms don’t last, it is common for the person experiencing them to dismiss them, and think nothing of them.

      If you experience the symptoms of a stroke or mini stroke (TIA), seek urgent medical help. When you are having the symptoms it is impossible to know if you are having a mini stroke or a full stroke. Don’t wait to see if they go away, call 999 immediately.

      Sometimes people don’t recognise the signs of a TIA at the time, and only realise later on that something wasn’t quite right. If you experienced symptoms recently but didn’t see a doctor, you should make an urgent appointment to see your GP. Your GP will also be able to refer you to a TIA clinic.

    • Not all cases of stroke can be prevented but to reduce your risk you can make changes to your lifestyle. If you have had a stroke it is still important to follow a healthy lifestyle and consult your GP for advice.

      1. Eat a balanced diet
      2. Keep physically active
      3. Maintain a healthy weight
      4. Stop smoking
      5. Moderate your alcohol intake
      6. Manage your stress levels
      7. Get enough sleep

      As well as having a healthy lifestyle, you should also reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes.

    Real Life Stroke Stories

    Stroke Stats in Northern Ireland

    Over 42,000

    people in Northern Ireland are registered with their GP for stroke or TIA.

    9

    people have a stroke every day.

    50%

    of stroke survivors are under 75

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    How We Can Help

    We understand that having a stroke can be very frightening for you and your family.

    Our experienced and compassionate Care Services team are here to help and support you through this. Our dedicated team will provide all the information and advice you need to help you make sense of what’s happened.

    Find out more