Strokes are the third-biggest killer and leading cause of severe adult disability in the UK. DAVID MILLS finds out more.
EACH year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK suffer a stroke - an average of one every five minutes.
A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, usually by blood clots.
This can damage the brain and cause death or paralysis to the body.
Symptoms can also include loss of the ability to speak, read or write.
Charity The Stroke Association held a stroke awareness day on May 13.
For every £50 spent on cancer research and £20 on heart disease, only £1 is spent on stroke research.
The charity is the only one in the UK which combats strokes in people of all ages and also funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation.
A spokesperson from the charity said: "A stroke is a brain attack and can strike without warning.
"It does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any age at any time but a stroke is preventable.
"By regularly monitoring your blood pressure and making a few simple lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk of stroke, for example taking more exercise, reducing your salt intake, eating healthily and reducing your alcohol intake all help."
While most people who suffer a stroke are aged 65 or over, what a lot of people do not realise is anyone can suffer one - including children and babies.
A third of stroke sufferers die within the first 10 days, a third recover within one month the other third are likely to be left with a long-term disability.
Currently more than 250,000 people in the UK live with disabilities caused by strokes.
For more information, visit The Stroke Association website at stroke.org.uk.
CASE STUDY
In 2000, Linda Reynolds suffered a mini stroke, medically known as a transient ischemic attack, at the age of just 37.
Mrs Reynolds, of Oak Tree Gardens, Bromley, is keen to raise awareness of how vulnerable people of any age are from having a stroke.
The 44-year-old had a five-month-old baby and a two-year-old son at the time.
She said: "I was visiting a relative when I went out to my car and felt the most horrific pain above my left eye, lost the use of my right arm, my leg started to go numb and I felt my speech going.
"It went through my mind I was having a stroke but I thought people my age don't have strokes.
"I could still move my fingers but had lost the ability to feel temperature.
"I didn't want to believe it was anything but stress.
"It happened so quickly. Forty-eight hours later it was diagnosed as a stroke."
The mum-of-two got the use of her arm back within a month and went on to make a full recovery.
She said: "The sensation when I run hot water is like I am wearing a glove.
"But I consider myself lucky. It could have been a lot worse."
Receptionist Mrs Reynolds has to take tablets every day to keep her blood pressure and cholesterol levels down.
She added: "A lot of people don't appreciate it can happen to them.
"My message would be get your blood pressure checked and get exercise.
"People any age can suffer from a stroke. It can happen to anyone."
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