What is a stroke?
A stroke is now more usually described as a brain attack and occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Our brains require a constant supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to function normally. When the blood supply to parts of the brain is reduced this can lead to permanent cell death in those areas. The site of damage and how much the blood supply is reduced will determine the degree of damage to structures within the brain. A stroke (brain attack) most commonly causes difficulties with movement, but in some cases structures are involved which are responsible for language, thinking, feeling and perception.
The cause of stroke is most commonly a blockage in one of the cerebral (brain) arteries. This happens in about 80 per cent of people. About 20 per cent of strokes are caused by a haemorrhage due to a weakness in one of the blood vessels; these occur more frequently in younger people.
For more information about stroke, click on the links on the left-hand side and also visit The Stroke Association at:
