Stroke

What causes strokes?

Blood is supplied to the brain by blood vessels called arteries. These arteries may get blocked, causing an ischaemic stroke or infarct. Less commonly, these arteries may burst, causing a haemorrhagic stroke or brain haemorrhage.

What are the risk factors for strokes?

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of stroke:

• Old age
  
• Male gender
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• High cholesterol
  
• Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
• Certain heart diseases including a recent heart attack
• Previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)