If you believe someone may be having a stroke, it is vital that you call 999 immediately. The sooner they receive medication attention the less damage is likely to happen.
There are 2 different types of strokes
Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
These blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have been narrowed or blocked over time by fatty deposits known as plaques. This process is known as atherosclerosis.
Your artieries may naturally become narrower as you age, but there are some things that dangerously speed up this process.
These include:
- smoking
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- obesity
- high cholesterol levels
- diabetes
- excessive alcohol intake
Haemorrhagic strokes (also known as cerebral haemorrhages or intracranial haemorrhages) are less common than ischaemic strokes. They happen when a blood vessel inside the skull bursts and bleeds into and around the brain. The main cause is high blood pressure.
The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems like: arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances (atherosclerosis) high blood pressure.