Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in the developed world ( Dublin has more than 2,000 new stroke patients a year). A stroke occurs when there is too little or too much blood in the brain. Arteries may have become narrowed or blocked, leading to severely reduced blood flow or blood clots. Strokes can also be caused when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. This deprives your brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, and cells may begin to die within minutes. Stroke results in life-changing consequences for the sufferer.

The after effects of stroke range from very mild to severely devastating. Strokes affect different people in different ways, depending on the type of stroke, the area of the brain affected and the extent of the brain injury. Paralysis with weakness on one side of the body is a common after-effect. Brain injury from a stroke can affect the senses of seeing and feeling, the ability to speak and understand speech and, less commonly, behavioural patterns, thought patterns, memory and emotions. Depression is a common feature and must be identified and treated.

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