Stroke effects approximately 40,000 Australians every year and is Australia's third greatest killer after heart disease and cancer. Stroke often effects those who are at the peak of their working lives. The costs of treating a stroke patient increases daily and rehabilitation for those who survive is a long and costly process. Contrary to popular belief, stroke isn't something that only happens to the elderly. This booklet will show that people in certain groups are at special risk.
Experts agree that most strokes are preventable.
By learning and taking action, you can take control of your stroke risk. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks. When a stroke occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area. Doctors call this area of dead cells an infarct. Brain cells in the infarct die because they are no longer receiving the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.