What is a stroke?

Aug 26, 2023

What is a stroke?

A stroke is when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off. In this animation we explain what a stroke is and the risk factors associated with having one.

Content

2.18 -> A stroke is when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off. This can

7.589 -> cause your brain cells to become damaged or die. A stroke can happen to anyone

14.009 -> and there are two main types. The most common is an ischemic stroke which

18.99 -> happens when a blood vessel in the brain becomes narrowed and a blood clot forms

23.07 -> causing a blockage. Sometimes this blockage is only

27.119 -> temporary, this is a transient ischemic attack or TIA and is often called a

33.18 -> mini stroke. A TIA may feel like a funny turn as you may experience slurred

39.449 -> speech or confusion for a short time and then get back to feeling well again.

46.199 -> The other main type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, this happens when a

50.1 -> blood vessel ruptures, causing a bleed in the brain, permanently damaging the

54.51 -> surrounding brain cells. Risk of stroke is increased by an irregular heart

59.73 -> rhythm called atrial fibrillation. Or having risk factors such as being older,

64.289 -> having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or being overweight.

71.35 -> Penny was at home when suddenly her face dropped on one side, she was unable to

76.58 -> raise both of her arms and her speech became slurred. Her husband immediately called 999.

86.5 -> At the hospital, doctors gave penny a clot-busting drug to break down the clot

91.95 -> in her brain. Some people may have an emergency thrombectomy, a procedure to

97.83 -> remove the clot completely or another treatment to try and restore blood flow

101.85 -> to the brain. The treatment given will depend on the type of stroke you've had.

106.85 -> After her stroke, Penny's family noticed mood and personality changes and she

112.35 -> wasn't able to do as much as before. Depending on the area of the brain that

116.97 -> is damaged and how quickly they received treatment, people may also experience

121.47 -> memory loss, tiredness, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness on one side

126.99 -> or problems communicating. These can be permanent but many improve over time.

133.85 -> Following a period of rehabilitation in hospital, Penny made some lifestyle

138.57 -> changes to continue her recovery and reduce her risk of suffering another stroke in the future.

147.62 -> Whilst the effects of a stroke can be devastating, if you act fast and get the

153.51 -> treatment you need immediately, this gives you the best chance of making a

157.44 -> recovery and getting back to a normal life.

160.4 -> More information on stroke can be found at bhf.org.uk/stroke

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-r6AcPsaw