Facts about strokes we all need to know

STROKE deaths reduced by 8% last year. According to the CSO, 1,837 people died from stroke in 2014, compared to 2,001 in 2013. 

However, the death rate among women aged 55 and over increased from 59%, in 2013, to 61%, in 2014.

A stroke is a ‘brain attack’ when blood supply to the brain is cut off, either by a clot (ischaemic stroke) or brain bleed (haemorrhagic. Symptoms occur suddenly, and can include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, or loss of sight.

There are 10,000 people affected by strokes every year in Ireland, and it’s the leading cause of complex disability, as sufferers can be paralysed and unable to communicate. More people die from stroke than from breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer combined.

Another stroke is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or a mini-stroke. It has similar symptoms to the others, but they are less severe and are temporary, often lasting from a few minutes to an hour. They should never be ignored, though, as 15% of ischaemic strokes are preceded by a TIA.

Are unhealthy lifestyles to blame? Lack of exercise, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, obesity and an unhealthy diet increase the risk. These habits can cause blood vessel damage, can increase blood pressure and can clot the blood — which are all potential factors in stroke.

Half of strokes could be avoided if blood pressure was well-controlled. Fruit and vegetables are very high in potassium and vitamins A and C, and these reduce blood pressure. Higher amounts of fruit and vegetables could lower your risk of stroke by 30%.

Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, as can alcohol, and smoking doubles the risk of dying from a stroke. Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, atrial fibrillation (AF, a serious form of arrhythmia) and high cholesterol can increase stroke risk. Find out if you have these conditions.

Some risk factors can’t be avoided. The largest number of people who have strokes are aged over 55, as the risk increases as you age and as arteries become narrower and harder. Family history can also put you at higher risk of stroke. If a stroke is suspected, get to hospital immediately.

For people with strokes caused by a blood clot, a treatment called thrombolysis can break down the clot — but it’s only effective up to four-and-a-half hours after it strikes.

Dr Ajay Bhalla, a consultant stroke physician, says urgent medical care is vital: three months after a stroke, 30% of patients will have made a good recovery, 30% will be disabled and 30% will have died.

“The effects of the stroke are driven by the extent of brain injury, the type of stroke and the age of the patient, but also by the treatments a stroke patient should receive,” Dr Bhalla says. “The best survival for patients are those that receive stroke-unit care in hospital, including specialist consultant assessment, expert nursing care [including early hydration and nutrition] and timely therapy assessment.”

He says: “Stroke in any age group can be completely devastating, and the focus needs to be prioritised around prevention.”

• For more information, visit www.stroke.ie