What it is
Treatment depends on the type of stroke and may include clot-busting medicine or a procedure to remove the clot, which work best when given within hours.
Recovery can take time and may involve physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Medicines and lifestyle changes help prevent another stroke.
Common signs
- Face drooping on one side
- Weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
- Slurred speech or difficulty understanding
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden confusion or dizziness
- A sudden, severe headache
How it is usually diagnosed
- CT or MRI brain scan
- Blood tests
- ECG and heart monitoring
- Ultrasound of the neck arteries
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Brain scan reports
- Hospital discharge letters
- Rehabilitation plans
- Medicine lists
- Blood pressure records
Questions to ask your doctor
- What type of stroke was it?
- What rehabilitation will I have?
- How can I lower the risk of another stroke?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Any signs of a stroke, even if they go away: call 112 immediately
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.