Stroke

A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is temporarily interrupted. This causes a ‘mini-stroke’ often lasting between 30 minutes and several hours. TIAs are to be be treated seriously as they are often a warning sign that you are at risk of having a full stroke in the near future.

Symptoms of a stroke

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:

Face

The face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.

Arms

The person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.

Speech

Their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.

Time

It’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

How we help

We support patients who have had a stroke or ‘mini stroke’ (transient ischaemic attack).

Our services include:

acute stroke services
inpatient rehabilitation at the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre
TIA outpatient clinic

What happens at your appointment

Treatment depends on the type of stroke you have, including which part of the brain has been affected and what caused it.

Strokes are usually treated with medication. This includes medicines to prevent and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.

In some cases, it may be necessary to remove blood clots. Surgery may also be required to treat brain swelling and reduce the risk of further bleeding if this was the cause of your stroke.