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What is a stroke?A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is suddenly reduced. This prevents that part of your brain from getting oxygen and other nutrients from your blood. A stroke is a medical emergency. Your brain needs a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients from blood, supplied by your arteries — without oxygen or nutrients, your brain cells will die ('infarct') and the affected area can suffer permanent damage. There are 2 main reasons for reduced blood supply: a blood clot or a bleed. At least 3 in every 200 Australians have had a stroke. Types of strokeIschaemic strokeAn ischaemic stroke is when a blood clot blocks blood supply to your brain. If the blood clot happens inside an artery, it blocks oxygen and nutrients from getting to your brain. There are 2 main types of ischaemic strokes:
What is a haemorrhagic stroke?A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when the wall of a blood vessel in the brain suddenly breaks. This causes blood to flood into the brain, blocking the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. There are 2 types of haemorrhagic strokes:
If you suspect you — or another person — might be having a stroke, it's important to get help quickly. Call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. What are the symptoms of a stroke?You can remember the main symptoms of stroke by using the word F.A.S.T. If you think someone may be having a stroke, check the following:
Other possible signs of stroke include:
Remember that a stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer it takes to get treatment, the more likely there will be stroke-related brain damage afterwards. What causes a stroke?Ischaemic strokes, clots that block blood flow to your brain, usually come from places where plaque narrows your arteries (a process called atherosclerosis). Haemorrhagic strokes mainly result from long-term high blood pressure bursting a blood vessel wall, but can also be caused by a cerebral aneurysm (a weak spot in an artery wall that bursts from sudden pressure or trauma). Common risk factors that increase your blood pressure or cause your arteries to narrow over time include:
There are also factors you can't change that increase your risk of a stroke, such as:
ARE YOU AT RISK? — Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease? Use our Risk Checker to find out. What is a transient ischaemic attack?A transient ischaemic attack, also known as a TIA or 'mini-stroke', causes stroke-like symptoms for a few minutes and disappears within 24 hours. It’s caused by a temporary blockage to your brain’s blood supply and means you have a higher chance of experiencing a stroke. If you experience a TIA, see your doctor urgently so you can reduce your chance of an ischaemic stroke. How is a stroke diagnosed?Your doctor will diagnose a stroke by conducting a physical examination and reviewing images of your brain. In hospital, doctors will carry out tests to check whether you have had a stroke, or have another condition. If it’s a stroke, they will work out what kind of stroke it is, find out which part of your brain is affected and decide how to treat it. You might need different tests. Some common ones include:
Some illnesses that are unrelated to stroke may show stroke-like symptoms and require different treatments. These include migraine, seizures, low blood sugar, fainting and heart arrhythmias. How is a stroke treated?The exact treatment depends on what caused your stroke, but generally involves both immediate and long-term measures. Immediate stroke treatmentFor ischaemic strokes, the blood clot needs to be dissolved using medication, or removed. Small blood clots may be dissolved with medication. Large clots usually require brain surgery such as endovascular clot retrieval (mechanical thrombectomy), where a catheter is threaded up your blood vessels to find and remove the clot. For haemorrhagic strokes, immediate treatment involves intensive blood pressure control and surgery to relieve swelling from bleeding in the brain, or to repair the ruptured blood vessel. Long-term stroke treatmentTreatments to prevent another stroke or TIA include:
Can strokes be prevented?More than 4 in 5 strokes are preventable. If you have high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol or an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), see your doctor for ways to manage these stroke risk factors using medication. You can also reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including by staying active, eating well, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation. If you've already had a stroke or TIA, it's even more important to make the following lifestyle changes:
Are there complications of a stroke?A stroke can be fatal — every day, 23 Australians die from a stroke. Among those who survive, 1 in 3 will have a long-term disability due to their stroke and are likely to always need help with talking, moving and self-care. Long-term complications of a stroke may include:
Complete recovery is often possible since the brain learns to compensate for any damage. However, many people never fully regain their former abilities. Life after a strokePost-stroke care may include rehabilitation in a hospital setting, outpatient therapy and home therapy. Sometimes a long-term care facility may be the best option. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and psychologists can all help you regain your ability to function. Depression is common among people who have had a stroke. You may not feel motivated to take medication or complete physical rehabilitation. Depending on which part of your brain is affected, changes in personality and mood can develop, which can distress family members and close friends. It’s important to try and return to normal life where possible, such as resuming some kind of work and engaging in your favourite activities, hobbies and interests. Resources and supportFor more information and support, check out these services:
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Which is the initial diagnostic test for a stroke?A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells. The CT scan also can find other problems that can cause stroke symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Is CT or MRI better for stroke?MRIs are also more accurate than CT scans since they are far more sensitive. They show all issues related to a stroke and any other diseases or concerning factors within the brain. MRIs are excellent at detecting even tiny abnormalities, which are often too small to be clearly seen in a CT scan.
What is the most common diagnostic tool used to diagnose stroke?Computed tomography (CT) of the head: CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. Physicians use CT of the head to detect a stroke from a blood clot or bleeding within the brain.
How do you determine if someone has had a stroke?Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
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