A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When that happens, brain cells can be deprived of oxygen, potentially causing permanent damage. The impact stroke has on cognition, speech, and movement will depend on which areas of the brain have been affected and for how long. The sooner treatment is undertaken, the greater the chance of limiting impairment.
Types of stroke
There are 3 main types of stroke: Ischemic, haemorrhagic, and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or ‘mini-stroke'. There are also cryptogenic strokes and brainstem strokes. Strokes can also be recurrent, and these are usually ischemic strokes.
Ischemic stroke
This is the most common kind of stroke. It's caused by a blockage in the artery supplying blood to the brain.
Haemorrhagic stroke
This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel leaks or bursts and blood flows into or around the brain, preventing oxygen from reaching surrounding brain cells.
The 2 sub-types of haemorrhagic stroke are:
- Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH): when a bleed occurs in the brain itself due to a burst artery inside the brain.
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH): occurs as a result of bleeding on the surface between the two membranes that cover the brain.
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or a 'mini stroke' is the same as a stroke, except that the symptoms are short-lived because the interruption of blood flow to the brain is temporary.
Unlike a stroke, TIA has no lasting impact on the ability to walk, move, talk, swallow or see. It's important to note that TIA or mini strokes can lead to a major stroke, especially in the hours and days after. To reduce the risk of a major stroke, always get treatment as soon as possible.
Cryptogenic stroke
Strokes without a known cause are called cryptogenic strokes.
Brainstem stroke
This stroke occurs in the brainstem and can affect both sides of the body, leaving the person in a 'locked-in' state. This kind of stroke can be hard to diagnose and may include symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.
What causes a stroke?
A stroke can occur at any age. Different types of strokes have different causes. Factors such as age, family history and gender also play a role in a person's risk of a stroke.
Ischaemic strokes are caused when blood clots block the flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. While atrial fibrillation—an irregular heart rhythm—can cause blood clots in the heart, clots more typically form in arteries that have narrowed or become blocked due to fatty deposits.
Haemorrhagic strokes are usually caused by high blood pressure, which can weaken arteries and make them susceptible to damage.
Haemorrhagic strokes can also be caused by head injuries, aneurysms or — less commonly — an abnormally formed blood vessel.
Cryptogenic strokes have an undetermined cause.
Brainstem strokes are mostly considered ischemic – they are caused by a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain.
Reassuringly, more than 80% of strokes are preventable.
Learn more about how strokes can be prevented.
Stroke risk factors to consider
Our arteries can naturally narrow as we age. However, there are specific conditions and health choices that can increase this risk a,s well as increase blood pressure:
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Stress
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- A high-salt and high-fat diet
- Lack of exercise.
What are the warning signs of stroke?
The Stroke Foundation recommends using the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test if you suspect you or someone else may be having a stroke.
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
The above symptoms are the most common signs of a stroke but are not the only ones. The following may also occur alone or in combination:
- Severe headache, usually with abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- A sudden feeling of numbness or weakness in your face or limbs, particularly on one side
- Confusion, trouble communicating or understanding others
- Difficulty seeing
- Problems swallowing
- Loss of balance or coordination and dizziness.
If you think you or someone else may be experiencing a stroke, the key is to act FAST– call 000 immediately.
Learn more about the warning signs of stroke and how to help someone having a stroke.
What happens after a stroke?
All strokes are different – some people may recover fairly quickly, while others may experience significant disability and may need long-term support.
Following a stroke, a brain scan is typically conducted, and based on factors such as the type of stroke, the time elapsed since it occurred, and individual risk factors, either clot-busting medications are given or a clot retrieval procedure may be performed.
How long a person remains in the hospital is dictated by the type of stroke, its severity, the treatment received, progress in recovery, and the bigger picture of a person's general health.
While no medical treatment can repair brain damage caused by stroke, rehab can help people relearn or find new ways of doing things. Rehabilitation leans on the principles of neuroplasticity, which is the nervous system's inherent ability to reorganise its connections and functions. In short, it's about using new parts of the brain to compensate for the areas impacted by stroke.
While improvement may continue for years, rehabilitation tends to yield the greatest results in the early months following a stroke. As ever, speed is of the essence – engage with specialists as quickly as possible, hoping to minimise the effects as much as possible.
Getting NDIS support for a stroke
According to data from the Stroke Foundation in 2022, more than 445,087 Australians are living with the effects of stroke, a leading cause of disability in the country. A significant stroke can result in permanent disability.
If you or someone you know has experienced a stroke, you may be eligible for NDIS funding or aged care funding.
Once approved for NDIS funding or Home Care Package funding, you can engage independent support workers through Mable and access in-home support services.
Learn more about eligibility for NDIS funding following a stroke.
The information provided in this article is general information only. In the event that you or someone else you know has a stroke, Mable encourages you to seek your own independent medical advice about strokes.