According to the Irish heart association, one in five people will have a stroke in their lifetime ?. Stroke is the second leading cause of adult death globally, according to the world health organization.
A stroke occurs due to loss of blood supply to the brain ?, and there are two main types of stroke:
1. Ischemic stroke
This is characterized by an impairment of blood circulation to a particular area of the brain resulting in loss of neurological function. This is often due to a blood clot ? compromising blood supply to a specific segment of the brain.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke
This is due to bleeding in or around the brain, often caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, aneurysms, and anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications.
A type of stroke called a ‘transient ischemic attack’ can often occur; it is sometimes called a ‘mini-stroke.’ It differs from the other types of stroke because it happens for a brief period, usually no more than five minutes. It is a warning sign for a future stroke and is a medical emergency, just like a major stroke.
Methods to prevent the occurrence of a stroke include adopting lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet ?, regular exercise ?, avoid smoking ? and cutting down on alcohol.
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