Strokes
Strokes can occur in anybody in age and time, however, strokes in adults under 55 is rising
worldwide and in the UK, every day there are 240 people suffering from strokes. Strokes are
like brain attacks which are as life threatening as heart attacks, they cut off blood flow which
restricts oxygen and nutrients in tissues.
There are two types of strokes:
- Ischemic strokes: blood flow to the brain is blocked via blood clots in the vessels,
restriction of oxygen causes the brain cells to die, this can affect a person’s
movement, speech, memory and can lead to death
- Haemorrhagic strokes: blood vessels inside the brain bursts, this could be due to the
high blood pressure, which could weaken and rupture blood vessels
Treatment must be done as quick as the more the stroke persists, the more the brain cells
die, it's like “time is brain”. In an ischemic stroke, treatments require dissolving or removing a
blood clot. In a haemorrhagic stroke, low blood pressure must be done.
The symptoms of a stroke can be identified via the “fast” acronym but it was developed into
“be fast”. People have different symptoms to strokes, such as women who experience more
than the “be fast” acronym of symptoms, another is that women are less likely to be
recognised of symptoms as they differ from men. Symptoms include sudden fatigue,
confusion, nausea, fainting or general weakness. Other symptoms include headaches,
vomiting, difficulty, swallowing, agitation or memory loss
B: balance problems, if a person says that the room is spinning or dizziness
E: Eyes, blurred vision, loss of vision or double vision
F: facial weakness or numbness, feeling droopy with one side of the mouth or eye
A: arm or leg weakness, often one side of the body
S: speech difficulty, slurred speech or inability to speak clearly
T: time to call for an ambulance, make a note when the symptoms arrive
TIA or transient ischaemic attacks, known as “mini strokes” , happen when the blood is
briefly interrupted in the brain, causing temporary symptoms. TIA is different: a full stroke is
that the blockage clears before any permanent damage occurs.
Advances in stroke treatment
Telemedicine is an important tool in making rapid diagnosis and early treatments possible.
Paramedics can consult with the stroke specialists in real time while at the scene or during
the travel. This increases the early diagnosis and faster decision making once the patient
arrives at the hospital.
Ambulances are equipped with brain imaging scanners and clot-busting medicines. Video
calls are also used to speed up care and direct patients to the appropriate treatment centre.
Strokes can occur in anybody in age and time, however, strokes in adults under 55 is rising
worldwide and in the UK, every day there are 240 people suffering from strokes. Strokes are
like brain attacks which are as life threatening as heart attacks, they cut off blood flow which
restricts oxygen and nutrients in tissues.
There are two types of strokes:
- Ischemic strokes: blood flow to the brain is blocked via blood clots in the vessels,
restriction of oxygen causes the brain cells to die, this can affect a person’s
movement, speech, memory and can lead to death
- Haemorrhagic strokes: blood vessels inside the brain bursts, this could be due to the
high blood pressure, which could weaken and rupture blood vessels
Treatment must be done as quick as the more the stroke persists, the more the brain cells
die, it's like “time is brain”. In an ischemic stroke, treatments require dissolving or removing a
blood clot. In a haemorrhagic stroke, low blood pressure must be done.
The symptoms of a stroke can be identified via the “fast” acronym but it was developed into
“be fast”. People have different symptoms to strokes, such as women who experience more
than the “be fast” acronym of symptoms, another is that women are less likely to be
recognised of symptoms as they differ from men. Symptoms include sudden fatigue,
confusion, nausea, fainting or general weakness. Other symptoms include headaches,
vomiting, difficulty, swallowing, agitation or memory loss
B: balance problems, if a person says that the room is spinning or dizziness
E: Eyes, blurred vision, loss of vision or double vision
F: facial weakness or numbness, feeling droopy with one side of the mouth or eye
A: arm or leg weakness, often one side of the body
S: speech difficulty, slurred speech or inability to speak clearly
T: time to call for an ambulance, make a note when the symptoms arrive
TIA or transient ischaemic attacks, known as “mini strokes” , happen when the blood is
briefly interrupted in the brain, causing temporary symptoms. TIA is different: a full stroke is
that the blockage clears before any permanent damage occurs.
Advances in stroke treatment
Telemedicine is an important tool in making rapid diagnosis and early treatments possible.
Paramedics can consult with the stroke specialists in real time while at the scene or during
the travel. This increases the early diagnosis and faster decision making once the patient
arrives at the hospital.
Ambulances are equipped with brain imaging scanners and clot-busting medicines. Video
calls are also used to speed up care and direct patients to the appropriate treatment centre.
