A stroke is a serious medical emergency that should be treated urgently. The sooner someone experiencing a stroke gets help, the less damage is caused to the body. Recovery may also be improved. In this article, we look at the causes of strokes, warning signs, and how to support someone who is recovering.
Remember, if you believe that someone is having a stroke, you should call 112 immediately.
Prevalence of Strokes
Figures show that around 7,500 people in Ireland experience a stroke every year. Unfortunately, more than a quarter of these cases prove fatal. Furthermore, it is thought that around 30,000 people are currently living with disabilities caused by a stroke.
What is a Stroke?
Strokes are caused by a lack of blood supply to the brain. This can be due to a blockage or a bleed. When this happens, cells in the brain are damaged and start to die. The longer the blood supply is interrupted, the more damage is done.
Fortunately, you can use the acronym “F.A.S.T” to identify when someone is having a stroke.
F – Face: Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
A – Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
S – Speech: Can they speak clearly? Are their words slurred or garbled?
T – Time: If you notice these signs, it’s time to call 112 and arrange emergency help.
Causes of Stroke
As mentioned above, strokes are caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. There are two main causes of this: blockages and bleeds.
A blockage causes an ischaemic stroke. This blockage is usually triggered by a blood clot. Bleeds are known as haemorrhagic strokes. These are caused when a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts.
People can also suffer from so-called ‘mini-strokes’. Officially, these are known as a transient ischaemic attack, in which blood supply to the brain is only temporarily interrupted. These should be treated immediately, as they are often warning signs that a person will have a full stroke in the near future.
Stroke Risk Factors
A stroke can affect anyone, regardless of age. However, some people are at increased risk. Whilst some risk factors can be treated, others cannot. Risk factors include:
- Having a history of strokes in your family
- Previous strokes or transient ischaemic attacks
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Taking contraceptive pills
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Irregular heartbeats
- Diabetes
Good health can help to reduce the risk of strokes, as can certain medications. If you are worried about your risk of stroke, you should consider speaking to a health professional.
Stroke Recovery
People who have had strokes are capable of recovering. However, the extent of their recovery often depends on how quickly their stroke was treated. The effects of a stroke can leave people living with disabilities.
After a stroke, a team of professionals will provide support with mobility, speech, and other factors to help the person live independently. A personal alarm can also help to support a stroke patient’s recovery.
Stroke recovery can be a slow process, and even once a loved one is at home, they may require additional support. Consider some of these methods for supporting someone after a stroke.
Mobility Aids
After a stroke, it is likely that you or your loved one will want to remain independent. However, strokes can take a toll on the body, making mobility more difficult. Sometimes, it is necessary to use a walking stick or frame to maintain independence. It is better to use these than experience a fall and lose more mobility.
Remove Hazards
A further means of supporting the mobility of someone who has had a stroke is to remove any hazards around the home. This could mean getting rid of rugs or changing where electronics are stored to avoid trailing cables. It may also be worth changing the furniture layout to create wider walkways.
Reassurance at Home
A personal alarm from LifeConnect24 offers reassurance to you and your loved ones throughout the home and garden. When help is needed, simply press the button on your alarm pendant and an alert is sent to our 24/7 Response Team.
To find out more about LifeConnect24’s personal alarm service, read our guide. For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Give our helpful team a call on 1 800 937543.
