A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, causing a brain injury, disability or death as brain cells begin to die. The life-threatening medical condition requires urgent treatment, as the sooner a person receives treatment, the less damage is likely to happen. The two main causes are ischaemic (the blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot) and haemorrhagic (a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts). A 'mini-stroke', known as a transient ischaemic attack, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. Conditions that can increase the risk of having a stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation and diabetes.

Source: Daily Mirror June 29, 2019 18:50 UTC