What Is Stroke?

WHAT IS A STROKE

•A stroke is a brain attack.

•It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

•Without a blood supply, brain cells can be damaged or destroyed.

•A stroke can happen to anyone, even children.

•The effects on the body are immediate, often devastating.

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN

Haemorrhage (15% - 20%)

•Bleeding in the brain

•Burst blood vessel e.g. artery

•High blood pressure can weaken artery

•Bursts and damages tissue

•Brain damage is the result

Ischaemic (69% - 80%)

•Death of tissue (infarction) because of blockage by:

•Thrombosis – a solid clot of blood in artery supplying brain or

•Embolism – a clot or other substance (fat, cholesterol, blood platelets) carried from elsewhere in circulation