A stroke occurs when part of the brain is damaged
as a result of a lack of blood supply or the rupture of a blood vessel.
In the United Kingdom, over 110,000 people have a stroke for the first time
each year. The risk of a stroke increases with age and is higher in men
than in women.
Doctors now recognise that much can be done to prevent strokes, treat the
stroke itself and improve the outcome through an organised rehabilitation
programme. Many people confuse a stroke with a heart attack. There are similarities,
in that heart attacks are caused by blood vessels becoming blocked in the
heart and strokes result from blood supply problems in the brain.
Dr Richard Lindley is Consultant Physician and
Geriatrician in the Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust where he specialises
in the diagnosis and management of patients with stroke. His research interests
include: randomised controlled trials and new studies to improve the treatment
of stroke.
