Stroke
1.9 per cent of the population of the borough of Rochdale have suffered a stroke (Quality Outcomes Framework, 2021/22). This is above the national rate of 1.8 per cent.
What is a stroke?
There are 2 main types of stroke:
- Ischaemic or haemorrhagic. Ischaemic is the most common form of stroke and is caused by a clot narrowing or blocking blood vessels so that blood can't reach the brain. This leads to the death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. Haemorrhagic strokes are caused by bursting blood vessels producing bleeding into the brain and brain damage.
- Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs). Sometimes called 'mini-strokes', these are also a medical emergency. During a TIA, the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted for a very short time. The symptoms are the same as for a stroke but usually last only a few minutes up to a few hours and disappear completely within 24 hours. A patient who has had a TIA is at increased risk of having a stroke and after assessment may need to start preventative treatment straight away.
Impacts of a stroke
A stroke is caused by a disturbance to the supply of blood to the brain causing 'an earthquake in the brain'. The shockwaves of stroke can leave a lasting and profound impact on how people move, see, speak, feel or understand their world.
A stroke is a medical emergency in which time is critical - the faster someone reaches expert help, the greater their chances of making a full recovery or reducing the risk of long term disability. Patients who are left with residual disability need timely, high quality services and longer term support in many aspects of their lives.
Statistics on stroke
- NHS Digital – Quality Outcome Framework - the prevalence of strokes in the borough can be viewed through the Quality Outcomes Framework tool on the NHS Digital site. It also allows you to see data down to GP Practice level for a number of conditions.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Cardiovascular disease stroke profile report - this cardiovascular disease summary profile focuses on stroke. It includes indicators on prevalence, treatment processes, hospital admissions and outcomes including mortality.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Premature mortality visualisation tool - the Longer Lives mortality tool highlights premature mortality across every local authority in England, giving people important information to help them improve their community's health. It includes data for heart disease and stroke.
Information and guidance on stroke
- National Institute of Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) guidance - Stroke and transient ischaemic attack - NICE has produced a number of documents that cover stroke including guidance on prevention, risk reduction, management and rehabilitation and shared learning.
- NHS Choices on stroke - the NHS Choices website includes information on stroke symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and prevention.