Stroke

The global burden of stroke
Every year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Five million die and another five million are left permanently disabled. Disability may include loss of vision and / or speech, paralysis and confusion.⁴⁴

Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of death above the age of 60 years, and the fifth leading cause of death in people aged 15 to 59 years old.⁴⁴

Stroke is uncommon in people under 40 years, although it does happen.  In young people the most common causes are high blood pressure or sickle cell disease.⁴⁴

In many developed countries the incidence of stroke is declining even though the actual number of strokes is increasing because of the ageing population.⁴⁴

In the developing world, however, the incidence of stroke is increasing. In China, 1.3 million people have a stroke each year and 75% live with varying degrees of disability as a result of stroke. The predictions for the next two decades suggest a tripling in stroke mortality in Latin America, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa.⁴⁵

What happens in a stroke?
A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. The loss of blood to the brain means a loss of oxygen and the brains cells become injured and die.⁴⁶

A stroke can kill or leave you with a permanent disability.⁴⁶

Types of stroke
In a transient ischemic attack (TIA) less blood than normal gets to the brain. The lack of blood may usually only lasts a few minutes but could last up to a day.  Some people experience symptoms that are typical of an ischemic stroke but others have none. The TIA may be an indication that a full, far more serious stroke is about the happen.⁴⁷

Ischemic stroke is accountable for 80% of all strokes.⁴⁶ During an ischemic stroke the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain is blocked. This usually happens because of blood clots in an artery to the brain or a narrowing of the arteries (carotid stenosis) blocking or impeding the blood flow.⁴⁸  

In a hemorrhagic stroke, an artery in the brain bursts. There are two main types of hemorrhagic stroke.⁴⁹

An intracerebral hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks blood into the brain. A subarachnoid hemorrhage happens when there is bleeding under the outer membranes of the brain and into the thin fluid–filled space that surrounds the brain. This type of hemorrhage can cause extensive damage to the brain and is the most lethal of all strokes.⁴⁹

Symptoms of stroke
Knowing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical help can improve the outcome of the stroke. The symptoms of stroke appear suddenly and often there is more than one symptom at the same time. All strokes happen fast.⁴⁶

The symptoms of stroke are:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
Sudden loss of vision in half the visual field
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.⁴⁶

In women the following symptoms are indicative of stroke:

Sudden face and arm or leg pain
Sudden hiccups
Sudden nausea
Sudden tiredness
Sudden chest pain
Sudden shortness of breath
Sudden palpitations.⁵⁰