Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and is the leading cause of severe disability in the UK. A quarter of all strokes occur in people of working age.

Early treatment can prevent further damage to the brain and help someone make a full recovery. Delay can result in death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.

For stroke prevention advice talk to your GP and for more information visit www.nhs.uk/actfast

Further information can be found on the the following websites:

• National Stroke Association

• Connect - a charity for communication disability

• Different Strokes - a charity for young people with stroke

Information about local NHS Devon stroke services can be found here on this website on the Stroke Services page.