Each year over 100,000 people in England and Wales have a first stroke. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks an artery which is carrying blood to the brain.
Some strokes are caused by bleeding within or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, the brain cells are deprived of oxygen and other nutrients, causing some cells to become damaged and others to die. The effects of stroke Some strokes are fatal while others cause permanent or temporary disabilities. Around a third of people who have a stroke die within a year, a third are left with serious disabilities and the remainder make a good recovery. The Stroke Association is a national charity which provides practical support to people who have had strokes, their families and carers.