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The symptoms can look similar, so urgent clinical assessment and brain imaging are needed to identify the type and guide care.

A transient ischemic attack can also produce stroke-like symptoms and requires emergency attention.

 

1. Acute Ischemic stroke (AIS)


Ischemic strokes occur because of an obstruction in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. An obstruction of blood flow in the blood vessel can cause a blood clot to form, this is called cerebral thrombosis. The main cause of cerebral thromboses are fatty deposits in blood vessels and arteries (atherosclerosis)4.

2. Hemorrhagic stroke


Haemorrhagic strokes happen when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Bleeding and pressure can damage surrounding brain tissue4.

3. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)


A TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to an area of the brain. It can cause symptoms similar to a stroke, but unlike a stroke these symptoms pass or resolve quickly. In the early stages of a TIA it is impossible to tell whether it is a stroke, so it is important to call emergency services4. 

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Stroke prevention

Key lifestyle changes to control stroke risk

1 in 4 of us will have a stroke in our lifetime, but almost all strokes can be prevented.3 Understanding individual risk factors can provide guidance on how to reduce the risk of a stroke.

Healthy Eating

Focus on a diet that is mostly plant-based with small amounts of meat, fish. There is a large body of evidence to support its benefits for cardiovascular health and stroke prevention.5

Regular Exercise

Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%.6

Moderate Alcohol Intake

Drinking too much alcohol either regularly, or ‘one-of’ over consumption can increase your risk of stroke.8

Quit Smoking 

Smoking tobacco increases your risk of having a stroke. Someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day is six times more likely to have a stroke compared to a non-smoker.7

  • If you are a smoker, quitting will reduce your risk of stroke and a range of other diseases.
  • If you live with a non-smoker, quitting will reduce their stroke risk too 7.

Manage Blood & Cholesterol

If there is too much buildup of LDL cholesterol (often called ‘bad cholesterol’) on artery walls, it can cause problems with your circulatory system – which increases your risk of stroke.9

You can reduce the risk of increased LDLs by:

  • Reducing intake of processed & foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats
  • Maintain a healthy BMI
  • Monitor blood-sugar levels
  • Increase fiber intake
  • Exercise regularly
  • Stop smoking
  • Take prescribed cholesterol medications

Patient and caregiver resources

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