This website is intended for healthcare professionals only
User log in




Trial log in
  

STROKE (cerebrovascular accident)

Occurs when part of the brain is deprived of its blood supply. It is the third biggest cause of death in the UK and the largest single cause of severe disability. The two main types of stroke are:

  • ischaemic stroke (c. 7 in 10 cases), usually caused by a blood clot blocking an artery that supplies part of the brain.
  • haemorrhagic stroke, caused when a damaged or weakened artery ruptures and bleeds.

Stroke Patient UK Stroke (patient informatio) https://www.patient.co.uk/health/stroke-leaflet

Cerebrovascular accident. Patient.co.uk Professional reference. https://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/cerebrovascular-events

Practice Nurse featured articles

Dealing with emergencies in general practice: the patient with suspected stroke Beverley Bostock-Cox  

Stroke prevention Margaret Perry 

After a stroke, symptoms and disability vary greatly depending on, for example, the part of the brain affected, how quickly treatment was given, and the extent of brain damage. Rehabilitation to maximise return of function and quality of life is an important part of treatment.

NICE CG68 Diagnosis and acute management of stroke and transient ischaemic attacks, 2008 https://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG68

NICE QS2 Stroke quality standard, 2010 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs2

SIGN 118  Management of patients with stroke: rehabilitation, prevention and management of complications, and discharge planning, 2010 https://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/118/

SIGN 119  Management of patients with stroke: identification and management of dysphagia, 2010 https://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/119/

NHS Choices Standards for stroke care (archived)  

STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Prompt treatment improves outcome.

The FAST test, advocated by the Stroke Association, assesses three specific symptoms of stroke:

Facial weakness – can the patient smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

Arm weakness – can the patient raise both arms?

Speech problems – can patient speak clearly and understand what you say?

Time to call 999 if a person fails any one of the tests

Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland https://www.chss.org.uk/

Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org.uk

Primary Care Neurology Society https://www.p-cns.org.uk

Return to index