Stroke is a major cause of disability in England and the UK and it has been shown to re-occur in 30% of cases. In England alone it is estimated that one in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime (Public Health England 2016). Previously strokes were associated with those aged over 70, but there has recently been a spike in stroke occurrences in people between the age of 40 to 69. There have been even cases in much younger people.

The promising news is that due to the treatment, survival and recovery have significantly improved, largely due to national campaigns highlighting the common signs. Remember FAST:

Early intervention is the key in every condition so it is always good to remember,‘’ The early bird catches the worm’’. At the same time, Prevention Always Surpasses Cure . Accessing emergency care services as fast as possibly can facilitate a speedy diagnosis as well as management which has been shown to reduce the degree of disability and improve chances of recovery.

Coping at home following discharge from hospital can be very challenging for stroke sufferers due to the impact on their physical and mental being. Depending on the severity of the stroke, patients may need to re-learn key daily life skills and adapt to live with the condition.

Excessive stress, obesity, cholesterol rich diet, alcohol, and inactivity, among other factors, have been associated with stroke.

After leaving the hospital exercise management is crucial to regaining not only their mobility but also to helping reduce pain, stress levels, risk of depression and anxiety as well as feeling hopeful and involved in society. This is particularly important as stroke can cause sufferers to despair, thereby diminishing their chances of rehabilitation.

I have had the opportunity to work in acute and community stroke units as well as privately and the experience has been very rewarding.