Stroke is an acute disruption of blood supply to the brain, in which its cells begin to die from a lack of oxygen. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability among cardiovascular diseases.
The main risk factors are high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis.
What a stroke is and its types
Two main types are distinguished. An ischemic stroke (about 80% of cases) occurs when a clot or an atherosclerotic plaque blocks a brain artery. A hemorrhagic stroke is the rupture of a vessel and a hemorrhage into the brain; it is closely linked to high blood pressure.
Separately, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, “mini-stroke”) is distinguished — a short episode with the same symptoms, which pass. It is a serious warning of a high risk of a real stroke.
Signs: the FAST rule
The FAST rule helps you remember the symptoms: Face — a drooping face, an uneven smile; Arm — arm weakness, the arm drifts down; Speech — speech disturbance, it is slurred; Time — time to call an ambulance.
Other signs: a sudden severe headache, dizziness, loss of balance, vision disturbance, numbness of one half of the body.
Why every minute matters
In a stroke the count is in minutes: the longer the brain is without blood flow, the more cells die irreversibly. Early treatment (dissolving the clot or removing it in an ischemic stroke) sharply raises the chances of recovery.
At any of the FAST signs you must call an ambulance immediately and note the time the symptoms appeared — this is important for choosing the treatment.
Risk factors and prevention
Manageable factors: high blood pressure (the main one), atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. Controlling blood pressure, quitting smoking, treating the arrhythmia and a healthy lifestyle substantially lower the risk of stroke.
Calculate using this marker
Calculators where Stroke is used directly:
Frequently asked questions
What is a “mini-stroke”?
This is the name for a transient ischemic attack (TIA): the symptoms of a stroke appear for minutes to hours and pass completely because blood flow restores itself. It is not “harmless” but a signal of a very high stroke risk — you must see a doctor urgently.
Can the risk of stroke be lowered?
Yes, considerably. The key is to keep blood pressure under control, treat atrial fibrillation (anticoagulants), not smoke, and control cholesterol and blood sugar. These measures are proven to reduce the likelihood of stroke.