Links to further information:
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-topics/stroke/
Stroke
Stroke refers to a sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain, which can cause permanent damage. This interruption can be caused by either a blood clot and is known as an ischaemic stroke, (most common type) or bleeding in the brain and is known as a haemorrhagic stroke.
- Strokes are relatively common as people get older, but can occur in younger adults and even children on rare occasions
- One in 10 people aged 75 years or older has ever been diagnosed with a stroke (2007, NZ Health Survey)
Key Points:
- The brain and the heart are the two most critical organs in our body. To keep our arteries and blood vessels working well, we need to reduce as many modifiable risk factors as we can. (Modifiable means you have some control over this)
- 80% of strokes are preventable so it's worth checking out your risk factors and taking steps to reduce these
- The modifiable risk factors for stroke are: High blood pressure, High blood cholesterol, Smoking, High alcohol intake, being overweight or obese, physical inactivity
Is it a Stroke? Act FAST. Call 111 Early treatment can prevent permanent damage!
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Face - SMILE (is one side droopy?)
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Arms - RAISE BOTH ARMS (is one side weak?)
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Speech - SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (slurred? Unable to?)
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Time - Lost time could be lost brain, get to hospital FAST
(From the Stroke Foundation of NZ)
Send to a friendOverview
In this section you will find some general information about strokes, how to recognise one and what to do.
 | What is a stroke? | Best Health - UK | |
| Recognising Stroke | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| Easy to Read | |||
 | VIDEO - Know Stroke: Know the Signs, Act in Time | National Institute of Health - USA | |
| Remember, in NZ call 111 | |||
| Stroke Video Part 1 of 3 | Faultline Productions | |
| Maori | |||
| Stroke Video Part 2 of 3 | Faultline Productions | |
| English | |||
| Stroke Video Part 3 of 3 | Faultline Productions | |
| English | |||
 | Preventing Stroke - factsheet | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| Stroke - Understanding & Prevention | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
Symptoms, Tests & Diagnosis
The key signs of a stroke are any facial droop, weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, slurred speech, sudden memory loss, confusion or severe headache. For more information, visit the following links.
| Recognising a stroke | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| What are the symptoms of a stroke? | Best Health - UK | |
| How do doctors diagnose a stroke? | Best Health - UK | |
| Brain scans | Best Health - UK | |
What can I do? - Self help measures
Things to do to help yourself or loved ones.
| Range of fact sheets - stress, blood pressure, salt, emotions & more | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| Fatigue after Stroke | Stroke Foundation of NZ | 2 Pages |
| Fact Sheet - Stroke, the After Effects | Better Health Channel | 2 Pages |
| Keeping Your Blood Pressure Down | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
Treatments & Medication
Treatment for a stroke has improved dramatically over the last 5 - 10 years and early treatment is critical. In many cases full recovery is possible.
| Stroke checklist - fill in and take to your health visits |  | 2 pages |
| Care of stroke survivors - April 2010 | | |
| What treatments work? | Best Health - UK | |
| Dabigatran - brief overview of indications | | |
| Time is brain - Emergency treatment of stroke: early assessment and management - 2010 | | |
| Opportunistic interventions in primary care can reduce stroke risk - April 2007 | | |
| NZ Guideline for the assessment & management of transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) | Stroke Foundation of NZ | 22 pages |
| NZ Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management - Dec 2010 | Stroke Foundation of NZ | 340 pages |
| Secondary stroke prevention | | |
| Update of NZ smoking cessation guideline - Dec 2007 | | |
| Stroke Risk Stratification | | 2 Pages |
| Carotid Stenting - A Stroke of Genesis? | IME Video Library | |
| 37 minutes (Lecture by Karen Moncher, MD) | |||
| Survivors Stories - children & younger adults | Different Strokes - UK | |
| Look for survivors stories on L hand menu | |||
| Stroke Support Clubs | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| There are over 70 stroke clubs throughout NZ | |||
| Large range of people's stories | Health Talk online | |
| Newsletters | Stroke Foundation of NZ | |
| Stroke Educational DVDs | Stroke Education Ltd (NZ) | |
| Developed by a leading international neurologist | |||
Date last reviewed