A Stroke is a brain

attack
Strokes are a medical emergency
and should be actively treated.
It is important to understand
that strokes require urgent
treatment, much like
a heart attack. Rapid
treatment can prevent
long-term brain damage
following a stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood

supply to the brain is reduced
drastically. Most strokes are
caused by a clot in one or
many brain blood vessels.
About 15% of strokes occur
when bleeding into the brain
occurs.

A brain attack (stroke) is very similar to a heart

attack. Unless blood supply can be re-established
quickly to the affected area, the area of brain will die. The
only chance of recovery lies in the blood vessel opening up again
– either spontaneously or with medication.

Heart attacks are treated as emergencies while

strokes are generally not. But a stroke is a real
emergency and should be treated as such.

What causes strokes?

75% of all strokes are caused by a clot or closure of a blood vessel. This is usually related to
atherosclerosis. The blood vessels become thickened and hardened with fat deposits being laid down.
This eventually narrows the blood vessel so far that the blood supply to the area usually supplied gets
closed off. This leads to a stroke.

15% of strokes are caused by a bleed into the brain. These are more often associated with trauma to
the brain, a ruptured berry aneurysm (an inherited abnormality in the brain vessels) or fragility in the
blood vessels caused by ageing.

How would you know if you were having a stroke?

A stroke can cause any variety of symptoms. Some of the commonest include:

• Tingling, numbness or change in sensation anywhere in the body

• Muscle weakness in the arms, limbs or face
• Slurred speech
• Drooping of part of the face
• Change in level of consciousness (becoming drowsy or unconscious)
 What should you do if you think you
might be having a stroke?

Call emergency services as soon as possible. Unless

emergency services are unavailable or you live in
a remote area, do not attempt to drive yourself to
hospital.

Emergency services will be able to take you to the

closest hospital that provides stroke management.
You may cause further unnecessary delay should
you go to the wrong hospital and need further
transport.

Time equals brain death. The more

time that is taken; the more brain
that dies.

Do not delay in getting help. Many people make the mistake of assuming their symptoms are not
serious and therefore try a “wait and see” approach, hoping the symptoms will resolve. A stroke is an
emergency and needs to be seen as soon as possible for possible treatment.

Diagnosis of stroke

The diagnosis of a stroke is based on physical signs and symptoms as well as specialised imaging
studies. A CT scan or MRI is needed to see whether the stroke is caused by a clot or by a bleed into the
brain.

Newer treatments for stroke

The gold-standard of treatment for stroke is thrombolysis. This treatment only works for strokes where
a clot is the primary cause. The clot can be dissolved by giving thrombolytic treatment. This can be
life-saving and brain-saving treatment, however it must be given within 3 hours of the start of the
symptoms.

This means that the person needs to call emergency services as soon as symptoms occur and be
transferred to a hospital that deals with stroke as quickly as possible. From there they need to be
assessed and have a CT scan within 1 hour of arrival.

Using thrombolytic treatments improves the chances of recovery after a stroke by up to 30%.

Stroke and changing opinions

A stroke is a “brain attack”. Precious brain tissue is damaged when deprived of oxygen and nutrients.
Early and effective treatment can prevent long-term brain damage. Active intervention with
thrombolytics is becoming the gold-standard of treatment. Don’t delay in seeking treatment for stroke.