A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Brain cells in that area start to die within minutes, which is why a stroke is a medical emergency. Almost 12 million people have a stroke each year worldwide, and almost 94 million people are living after one. [1]
Two main types of stroke
- Ischemic stroke: a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain. This is the most common type, about two in three strokes worldwide. [1]
- Hemorrhagic stroke: a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into or around the brain. Bleeding inside the brain accounts for about three in ten strokes. [1]
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, causes the same symptoms but they pass. It is a warning sign and needs urgent medical attention.
What causes a stroke
According to the World Stroke Organization, 84% of the global burden of stroke is linked to risk factors that can be changed. [1] The most important is:
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke, accounting for more than half of the global stroke burden. [1] Over time it damages and weakens blood vessels, making both clots and bleeding more likely. Many people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, so the only way to know is to have it measured.
Other risk factors
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), which can cause clots that travel to the brain
- Diabetes and high blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Being overweight, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Air pollution
Some risk factors cannot be changed: age, family history and a previous stroke or TIA. But controlling the ones you can change — starting with blood pressure — lowers your risk.
Warning signs: act FAST
The quickest way to recognize a stroke is FAST: [2]
- F — Face: one side of the face may droop, and it may be hard to smile.
- A — Arms: the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there.
- S — Speech: speech may be slurred or confused.
- T — Time: call emergency services immediately.
Other possible symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, blurred vision or loss of sight, trouble finding words, confusion, dizziness or a fall, and a sudden severe headache. [2]
Call emergency services even if the symptoms stop. Treatment in the first hours can make a large difference, and only a hospital can tell what type of stroke it is.
A face that suddenly droops is not always a stroke, but it should always be treated as an emergency until a doctor says otherwise.
What a stroke can leave behind
The effects depend on which part of the brain was damaged and how badly. Common effects include:
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia), affecting the arm, leg or face
- Problems with speech and language, understanding or finding words
- Swallowing difficulties
- Problems with balance, walking and everyday tasks
- Memory and concentration problems
- Tiredness, low mood, depression and anxiety [3]
Many people improve, sometimes a great deal, with rehabilitation. The fastest progress usually comes in the first days and weeks after a stroke, and progress can continue for months and even years. [4] Read: Stroke recovery — what to expect and why starting early matters
Stroke in China
Stroke is the leading cause of death in China. [5] Chinese hospitals therefore treat and rehabilitate very large numbers of stroke patients, and rehabilitation in China often combines physiotherapy with acupuncture and tuina massage. Stroke rehabilitation in China · Acupuncture and tuina for stroke recovery
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This article is general information, not medical advice. If you think someone is having a stroke, call emergency services now.
Sources
- Feigin VL, Brainin M, Norrving B, et al. World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025. International Journal of Stroke 2025;20(2):132–144.
- NHS. Stroke: symptoms. nhs.uk
- NHS. Stroke: recovery. nhs.uk
- Stroke Association. Recovery after stroke. stroke.org.uk
- Yao M, Ren Y, Jia Y, et al. Projected burden of stroke in China through 2050. Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(13).