Stroke

A stroke can occur if the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, or if there is bleeding into the brain – depriving the brain of oxygen.

Symptoms

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body   
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding   
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes   
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination   
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

What to do

If you or somebody with you experiences any of the above symptoms, call for an ambulance immediately on 911 (or 112). Check the time so that you know when symptoms first started to appear: the sooner treatment is given, the more damage can be minimized.

Find out more about stroke and related disorders in the irishhealth.com Heart Disease Clinic