What is a stroke

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Stroke attacks the brain - the human control centre - changing lives in an instant.

Your brain is fed by blood carrying oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels called arteries. A stroke happens when blood cannot get to your brain, because of a blocked or burst artery. As a result, your brain cells die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

Download fact sheet about stroke

There are two types of stroke.

Both types of stroke stop blood getting to areas of the brain:

How does it affect people?

Stroke attacks the brain, the human control centre.

The brain is divided into areas which control different things. The impact of the stroke depends on the area of the brain it damages. Damage to an area of your brain can impact how you think, behave, use words, swallow, see, feel, touch, and move your body.

Stroke affects everyone differently.

Who is at risk?

Stroke can happen to anyone of any age.

Men are at greater risk of stroke and as we get older our risk increases.

In saying that, stroke is preventable for many. Some of the causes within our control include high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking, high cholesterol, a high intake of alcohol and diabetes.