How to spot someone having a stroke and what to do

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the UK

On Monday, the family of former deputy prime minister John Prescott revealed he has been admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke.

A statement about Prescott's health, posted on Twitter, said that the 81-year-old was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary on Friday.

The family said they wanted to praise the "swift actions" of the ambulance staff and the doctors and nurses at the hospital's A&E stroke unit.

According to the Stroke Association, strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the UK, and the cause of 400 childhood deaths across the country every year.

There are different types of strokes and recovery length depends on the severity of the attack.

The sooner someone receives treatment, the less the brain will be damaged.

Here’s everything you need to know about strokes, from how to recognise the symptoms to what the different types of stroke are:

What is a stroke?

Described by the UK’s Stroke Association as a “brain attack”, a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.

This prevents key nutrients and oxygen from getting to the brain, causing severe damage to the brain cells, which can impair a person’s speech and the way they move and think.

What are the different types of stroke?

There are three types of stroke.

Ischaemic strokes, which are most common, occur when an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked by a blood clot.

The blood clots usually form in areas where the arteries have become narrowed over time due to a buildup of fatty deposits; this process is known as atherosclerosis.

Haemorrhagic strokes happen when there is bleeding in or around the brain caused by a blood vessel rupturing. This kills all of the surrounding brain cells.

The third type, according to the British Heart Foundation, is a mini-stroke, which is caused by a brief reduction in blood supply to part of the brain.

These kinds of stokes, sometimes referred to as transient ischaemic attacks, shouldn’t cause permanent damage to the brain, and most symptoms should pass within 24 hours.

What causes a stroke?

For ischaemic strokes, which are caused by narrowing arteries, certain things such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and high cholesterol can be triggers.

Arteries naturally narrow as you get older, so elderly people are also more at risk.

The main causes for haemorrhagic strokes, which are less common, are stress, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking.

How to spot someone is having a stroke

The symptoms for a stroke depend on the person and the type of stroke, though the NHS uses the F.A.S.T acronym to list the main signs as:

• Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.

• Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.

• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.

• Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, the NHS advises phoning 999 immediately and asking for an ambulance.

What happens after someone has had a stroke?

Recovery from a stroke will vary depending on how much damage has been caused to the brain.

Some people will recover quickly, but others will need long-term support from a range of specialists, such as language therapists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.

After a stroke, a person’s cognitive functions (communication, spatial awarenesses, memory and concentration) can be severely compromised, and in these instances, a rehabilitation plan will be created to help a person recover fully.

Strokes can also cause weakness in the body and, in some cases, paralysis. Physiotherapy will be prescribed if this is the case and a care worker may also be provided.

Other issues that may arise after a stroke include: vision problems, bladder issues, difficulty swallowing.

Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, may also arise after a stroke.

For more information about strokes, visit the Stroke Association website, or call the charity’s helpline on 0303 3033 100.

The helpline is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 1pm and is closed on Sunday.