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Stroke signs and symptoms as thousands of lives saved by NHS 'wonder drug'

Stroke pills. (Getty Images)
The heart condition atrial fibrillation causes around one in five strokes. (Getty Images)

Thousands of lives have been saved thanks to the rapid roll-out of a blood-thinning drug given to those with a heart condition at risk of stroke, according to the head of the NHS.

Almost half a million people at increased risk of strokes have started taking the life-saving drugs called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the last 18 months, new data shows.

Since January 2022, around 460,000 more people have started taking them, with more than 24 million prescriptions given to patients. This has prevented 17,000 strokes and prevented 4,000 deaths.

The drug stop strokes by treating and preventing blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that can cause an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate, but which can be symptomless until a stroke occurs.

Around 1.5 million people in England live with AF, which causes one in five strokes.

"It’s outstanding news that these drugs have potentially helped save thousands of lives already and prevented many more people from suffering the serious and often debilitating effects of strokes," NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said at the King’s Fund annual conference 2023.

This follows the sad news of Christine McVie dying in November 2022 at 79-years-old after a "short illness", revealed in April this year this was due to a stroke.

Her death certificate, obtained and shared by US outlets, listed an 'ischaemic stroke' as one of the primary causes of her death, as well as 'atrial fibrillation' and 'large atrial thrombus'.

The type of stroke McVie had is the most common, while AF is the heart condition that causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate (that people are receiving blood thinners for), and atrial thrombus is a type of blood clot, according to the NHS.

Her death certificate also listed a 'metastatic malignancy of unknown origin' (meaning a cancer that spread across the body) as a secondary cause.

Fleetwood Mac's, Christine McVie, performing at the Brit Awards at the London Docklands Arena. Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie has died at the age of 79, her family has said. Issue date: Wednesday November 30, 2022.
Christine McVie's cause of death was a stroke. (PA Images)

As many as 100,000 people have strokes every year – equivalent to one every five minutes, according to the Stroke Association. While people who have them are often older, Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry's tragic death from a stroke at just 52 is a reminder that younger people can have them too, and this also includes children.

While this may seem daunting, learning about strokes and how to respond can help minimise the impact.

"It is vital that stroke is reported on more because 90% of strokes are preventable due to lifestyle changes," says the Stroke Association.

"So [we need to be] informing the public that making small changes or checking your blood pressure could help save their life."

"It is also important that the true impact of stroke is highlighted," a spokesperson says and that "people know to call 999 and Act FAST as time is so important when having a stroke." With help from the charity, here's everything you need to know...

Senior woman taking measures blood pressure at home to prevent stroke. (Getty Images)
Knowing how to respond if someone has a stroke is vital. (Getty Images)

What is a stroke and what types are there?

Brain stroke, haemorrhagic and ischaemic problem. Arteriosclerosis, infarct, ischemia, thrombosis disease. High ldl and hdl level. Cholesterol in human blood vessels. Medical poster vector illustration. (Getty Images)
Two types of stroke include haemorrhagic and ischaemic. (Getty Images)

A stroke is a brain attack that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which kills brain cells. The effect of a stroke depends on where it takes place in the brain, and how big the damaged area is.

There are three main types of a stroke. As mentioned, Ischaemic (a clot), the most common, is caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain.

Haemorrhagic (a bleed) is caused by bleeding in or around the brain. About 85% of all strokes are ischaemic and 15% are haemorrhagic.

A transient ischaemic attack or 'TIA' is also known as a 'mini-stroke', because while it is the same as a stroke, the symptoms only last for a short amount of time as the blockage that stops the blood getting to your brain is temporary. Treating TIAs urgently reduces the risk of stroke by 80%.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Man struggling with vision. (Getty Images)
Recognising the signs of a stroke can help you to access care and treatment quickly for yourself or someone else. (Getty Images)

"It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time," says Juliet Bouverie OBE, chief executive at the Stroke Association. "It is vital to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech and Time (to call an ambulance)."

To help detect the medical emergency, follow the FAST test:

  • Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye dropped?

  • Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

  • Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

  • Time to call 999: If you see any of these signs

This can help to spot the three most common symptoms of stroke, but there are other serious signs to have on your radar too:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet

  • Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences

  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes

  • Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall

  • A sudden, severe headache

Read more: Mum left disabled after doctors dismissed stroke as 'high blood sugar'

What causes a stroke?

Man smoking a cigarette. (Getty Images)
Changing certain lifestyle factors can help prevent a stroke. (Getty Images)

As we get older, our arteries naturally become harder and narrower and are more likely to become blocked, but certain factors can speed up the process or increase the risk.

“Around 90% of strokes are linked to a treatable health condition such as high blood pressure or a ‘lifestyle’ factor such as smoking," says Bouverie. "Everyone has a different risk of having a stroke, which depends on their body and their lifestyle.”

Risk factors include:

  • Age

  • Health problems: High blood pressure, TIA, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), high cholesterol

  • Lifestyle choices: Smoking, diet, lack of exercise, not managing your weight, drinking alcohol

  • Family history: You are more likely to have one if someone in your family has had one

  • Ethnicity: Strokes occur more often in people from African or Caribbean families, and are also more common in people from South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

To reduce your risk of having a stroke, you can make lifestyle changes such as cutting down on alcohol, stopping smoking, staying a healthy weight, eating healthily and being as active as you can.

If you're over 40, regular check-ups with your GP will help pick up on any medical conditions that might put you at risk. If you're Black or from a South Asian family, you can have a diabetes check from the age of 25.

What treatments are there for a stroke?

Health worker holding patient's hand. (Getty Images)
Getting treatment quickly is key to a better recovery. (Getty Images)

There are different types of treatments for strokes, dependent on what type the individual had and what course of action is right for them.

“Some people who have an ischaemic stroke are eligible for thrombolysis, a clot-busting drug which disperses the clot and returns the blood supply to your brain," explains Bouverie. After thrombolysis, 10% more patients survive and live independently.

"Thrombectomy is another treatment, this physically removes a clot from the brain," Bouverie adds. "Like thrombolysis, it has to be carried out within hours of a stroke starting which is why it is vital to act FAST. Only a small proportion of stroke cases are eligible for thrombectomy but it can have a big impact on those people by reducing disability.”

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability. For every 1,000 patients thrombolysed within three hours, about 100 more were alive and living independently than for 1,000 patients who were not thrombolysed.

What are the effects of a stroke?

Woman after a stroke. (Getty Images)
After a stroke it is normal to be affected mentally as well as physically. (Getty Images)

Again, the effects of a stroke are different, but it can impact:

  • Movement and balance: Weakness down one side of the body, problems with balancing and walking, difficulty using legs, feet, arms or hands

  • Other physical problems: Swallowing problems, losing bowel and bladder control, fatigue, muscle and joint pain

  • Thinking and communicating: Problems with memory, concentration and problem-solving, problems with speaking, understanding, reading and writing, and spatial inattention

  • Sensory problems: Eyesight problems, being sensitive to light, and losing part of the visual field, numb skin, and pins and needles

Around one third of stroke survivors have aphasia, a difficulty with their language, which often comes from a stroke in the left side of the brain and can affect speaking, reading, writing and understanding speech.

Some people might also behave differently after a stroke, and become irritable, speak or do things without thinking, become very quiet and withdrawn, or lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Another important thing to be aware of is that many are impacted emotionally after a stroke, and experience feelings of shock, anger, guilt and grief. It's common to have problems such as low mood, anxiety or depression.

People might also experience emotionalism, which means it can be hard to control your emotions. While it can be hard to talk about your feelings, it can help to talk to someone you trust or a professional.

What is the recovery journey for a stroke survivor?

Comforting woman in hospital after a stroke. (Getty Images)
Recovery from a stroke looks different for different people. (Getty Images)

There are 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK. "Depending on how serious the stroke is, the stroke survivor may stay in hospital for anything from a few days to a few months," explains a spokesperson from the Stroke Association.

"They might move to a rehabilitation ward and will work with a team of health professionals specialising in stroke to help rebuild their life.

"After having a stroke, the body will need time to heal and recover," the charity adds. "Rehabilitation helps people to make the best recovery possible so they can relearn skills for everyday life.

"Because every stroke is different, there is no set pattern for recovering from one. The quickest recovery takes place in the days and weeks after a stroke. But recovery can continue for months and years after a stroke.

"Stroke survivors tell us that it can take a lot of effort and determination to keep going with rehabilitation. It can be very hard work, physically and mentally, but many people find it helps them make vital progress with speaking, walking and other key skills."

What should you do if you think you or someone else is having a stroke?

"Stroke changes lives in an instant, but the brain can adapt. If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke Act FAST and call 999 as a stroke is a medical emergency," says the Association.

If you have been affected by a stroke, including as family, friends and carers, you can call the Stroke Association's helpline on 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk.

Its online tool My Stroke Guide also gives you free access to trusted advice, information and support 24/7, connecting stroke survivors to its online community to find out how others manage their recovery.

Additional reporting PA.

Watch: Emmerdale's Mark Charnock flags up stroke symptoms