Discover what causes strokes and what you can do to reduce the
risks of having a stroke, what to do if you suffer from either a
mini-stroke or a full stroke, and where to get help and advice.
A stroke - what is it? A stroke occurs when the blood flow to
your brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die through
lack of oxygen. The two main types are: - ischaemic stroke -
responsible for 80 per cent of strokes, this occurs when a blood
vessel to the brain becomes blocked by a clot - haemorrhagic
stroke, a brain haemorrhage - more likely if you have high blood
pressure, it is caused by a blood vessel bursting causing blood
to leak into the brain - Chest, Heart and Stroke - Northern
Ireland - Stroke - NHS Choices website Discovering if you are at
risk You are at greater risk if you are: - someone whose
immediate family has had a stroke - Asian, African or African-
Caribbean You are at risk if you suffer, or have suffered, from:
- high blood pressure - heart disease - congenital, an enlarged
heart or heart-valv