What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blockage or bleed of the blood vessels either interrupts or reduces the supply of blood to the brain. When this happens, the brain does not receive enough oxygen or nutrients, and brain cells start to die.

Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease. This means that it affects the blood vessels that feed the brain oxygen. If the brain does not receive enough oxygen, damage may start to occur.

Treatment

Because ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have different causes and effects on the body, both require different treatments.

Rapid diagnosis is important for reducing brain damage and enabling the doctor to treat the stroke using a suitable method for the type.

The sections below cover the treatment options for ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, as well as some general rehabilitation tips for both types.

Causes and risk factors

Each type of stroke has a different set of potential causes. Generally, however, stroke is more likely to affect a person if they:

    have overweight or obesity

    are 55 years of age or older

    have a personal or family history of stroke

    have high blood pressure

   have diabetes

    have high cholesterol

    have heart disease, carotid artery disease, or another vascular disease

    are sedentary

    consume alcohol excessively

    smoke