Stroke

Ischaemic strokes occur when the arteries supplying blood to the brain are blocked due to a build-up of cholesterol waxy deposits, known as plaques, in the walls of the arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow, or they can burst and lead to the formation of a blood clot, which then block blood flow to the brain.

Haemorrhagic strokes occur when the arteries in the brain burst due to high blood pressure and a brain aneurysm (balloon-like swelling in the wall of the artery), the bleeding occurs from the arteries within the brain itself.

Different factors increase the risk of a stroke, like a smoking habit and ageing. Other conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol level and diabetes mellitus increase the risk of a stroke. Some heart complications including irregular heartbeat, recent heart attacks, and previous strokes or TIA (mini-stroke) further increase the risks.

You may experience any of the following:

• Difficultyin speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of memory or concentration
• Loss or blurred vision
• Sudden severe dizziness
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden weakness and/or numbness on one side of the body

Your doctor will evaluate your condition and suggest the best treatment depending on the type of stroke you have experienced:

• Blood thinners (eg. aspirin) to help blood flow in ischaemic stroke patients and reduce the risk of a second stroke
• Carotid endarterectomy surgery to remove a severely narrowed neck artery in the brain reducing risk of another stroke
• Medications and dietary changes to control blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood glucose level
• Rehabilitation treatment to help stroke patients continue normal daily activities independently through individualised physiotherapy and speech therapy programmes
• Surgery to treat haemorrhagic strokes