A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries which carry blood to the brain.

If brain cells lose their supply of oxygen from the blood, they will be damaged or will die.

The symptoms of a stroke depend on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage, so no two strokes are the same and recovery is different from person to person.

The symptoms of a stroke usually come on suddenly, and can include:

• Weakness and numbness of the face, arm or leg usually on one side of the body
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Communication problems in talking or understanding what others are saying
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight
• Severe headache

For more information download our What is a Stroke Leaflet