1. STROKE:CAUSES AND PREVENTION

2. What Is A Stroke? Can Be Described as a Type of Brain Injury In its simplest terms this can be described as an injury to the brain that has not resulted from trauma In its simplest terms this can be described as an injury to the brain that has not resulted from trauma

3. Types of Stroke T.I.A. ISCHEAMIC HAEMORRHAGE Stroke can be broken down into three types Firstly T.I.A. or transient ischaemic attack. This is often known as a mini or mild stroke. The symptoms of a TIA are very similar to that of a stroke, but last for a short time, usually up to 24 hours. These symptoms are an indication that part of the brain is not getting enough blood, this is usually due to a temporary blockage. Symptoms of a TIA should never be ignored and an urgent appointment with your GP should be sought so that investigations can be undertaken to discover the cause and appropriate treatment commenced. Without treatment about 1 in 4 go on to develop a full blown stroke (Stroke Association) An Ischaemic Stroke is the most common type of stroke. It happens when blood vessel/s supplying blood to the brain become blocked by a clot or become too narrow for blood to get through to the brain. This reduced blood flow causes brain cells in the area to die from lack of oxygen. Haemorrhage is as the name suggests a bleed. This is where the blood vessel is not blocked, but bursts and blood leaks into the brain causing damageStroke can be broken down into three types Firstly T.I.A. or transient ischaemic attack. This is often known as a mini or mild stroke. The symptoms of a TIA are very similar to that of a stroke, but last for a short time, usually up to 24 hours. These symptoms are an indication that part of the brain is not getting enough blood, this is usually due to a temporary blockage. Symptoms of a TIA should never be ignored and an urgent appointment with your GP should be sought so that investigations can be undertaken to discover the cause and appropriate treatment commenced. Without treatment about 1 in 4 go on to develop a full blown stroke (Stroke Association) An Ischaemic Stroke is the most common type of stroke. It happens when blood vessel/s supplying blood to the brain become blocked by a clot or become too narrow for blood to get through to the brain. This reduced blood flow causes brain cells in the area to die from lack of oxygen. Haemorrhage is as the name suggests a bleed. This is where the blood vessel is not blocked, but bursts and blood leaks into the brain causing damage

4. PROFILE SINGLE BIGGEST CAUSE OF DISABILITY IN UK THIRD HIGHEST CAUSE OF DEATH AND IS AN ACUTE MEDICAL EMERGENCY As the slide says Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and is the most common cause of disability. It is also a medical emergency and prompt medical attention should be sought following the onset of symptoms.As the slide says Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and is the most common cause of disability. It is also a medical emergency and prompt medical attention should be sought following the onset of symptoms.

5. RISK FACTORS PREVIOUS STROKE OR TIA HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ATRIL FIBRILATION/VALVE DISEASE HIGH CHOLESTEROL DIABETES

6. RISK FACTORS OVERWEIGHT POOR DIET LACK OF EXERCISE FAMILY HISTORY SMOKING/ALCOHOL AGE/GENDER ETHNICITY

7. WARNING SIGNS WEAKNESS/LOSS OF MOVEMENT/NUMBMESS ARM AND LEG ONE SIDE INCLUDING FACE SUDDEN LOSS OF/DIFFICULT UNDERSTAND SPEECH

8. WARNING SIGNS SUDDEN LOSS OF VISION BLURRED VISION HEADACHE SUDDEN NO APPARENT CAUSE DIZZINESS LOSS OF BALANCE/CO-ORDINATION

9. WHAT CAN YOU DO? MEDICAL CHECK UPS Cholesterol Diabetes COMPLIANCE WITH MEDICATION Heart Blood Pressure REGULAR CHECKS WITH GP/HOSPITAL

10. WHAT CAN YOU DO? LIFESTYLE CHANGE LOSE WEIGHT CHECKING/CHANGING DIET LOW FAT/DIABETIC EXERCISE STOP SMOKING MODERATE ALCOHOL INTAKE

11. WHO CAN HELP ? GENERAL PRACTITIONER HEALTH REVIEWS ACCESS TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS DIETITIAN PRACTICE NURSE ADVICE ON EXERCISE WALK IN CENTRES/HEALTH CENTRES NHS DIRECT

12. WHO CAN HELP ? PHARMACIST OLD MEDICATION HOW TO TAKE MEDICATION CHOLESTEROL MEASUREMENTS STROKE ASSOCIATION LEAFLETS SUPPORT NETWORKS TRAINING

13. CONCLUSION BE AWARE BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH TAKE RESPONSIBILITY PREVENT IS BETTER THAN CURE