Understanding Stroke and Its Medical Urgency
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or reduced. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce long-term damage or death. There are two main types of stroke:
Ischaemic stroke – caused by a blockage in an artery
Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by a bleed in the brain
Every second counts in a stroke emergency. A delay in recognising or treating a stroke can have devastating consequences.