Ischaemic stroke Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.
Answers to questions about ischaemic stroke
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- How long will it be until my father can go home, after a stroke?
- If my mother had an ischaemic stroke, am I likely to have one?
- How can taking aspirin prevent me from getting a stroke?
How long will it be until my father can go home, after a stroke?
It's difficult to predict how long someone will need to stay in hospital after a stroke. A social worker can help to decide on what care your father will need after he is discharged from hospital.
Explanation
The length of time someone needs to stay in hospital after a stroke varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the stroke. Someone who has had a stroke will usually need to stay in hospital for at least a week. However, if your father's stroke was severe, he may need to stay in hospital for a number of weeks, or even months.
Depending on your father's recovery in hospital, it may be that returning home after being discharged from hospital isn't the best solution. People who have had a stroke will usually be seen by a social worker before they leave hospital. A social worker can help you think about the level of care your father needs and consider other options, such as:
- sheltered housing - this is independent accommodation that has a resident warden on hand for emergencies
- a residential home - these provide basic personal care
- a nursing home - these have fully qualified nursing staff to provide 24-hour nursing care
Further information
- The Stroke Association
0845 3033100
www.stroke.org.uk
Sources
- Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration. Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care for stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007; Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000197. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000197.pub2. www.cochrane.org
- After a stroke. The Stroke Association. www.stroke.org.uk, accessed 1 December 2008
If my mother had an ischaemic stroke, am I likely to have one?
You are at greater risk of stroke if you have a family history of the disease. However, whether you will have a stroke also depends on your lifestyle factors.
Explanation
You are at greater risk of having a stroke if someone in your family has had one. However, this doesn't mean that a stroke is inevitable. Your risk of stroke depends both on factors that you can't change (such as your age, race and family history), and lifestyle factors, which you can change.
You can take steps to lower your risk of stroke by making changes to your lifestyle, such as:
- stopping smoking - giving up smoking can cut your risk of stroke in half, no matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking
- improving your diet - too much fat in your diet can contribute to the furring up of your arteries, while too much salt can increase blood pressure
- increasing the amount of activity you do - regular activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) can help to lower your blood pressure and regulate the fat levels in your body
- reducing the amount of alcohol you drink
Further information
- The Stroke Association
0845 3033100
www.stroke.org.uk
Sources
- Preventing a stroke. The Stroke Association. www.stroke.org.uk, accessed 1 December 2008
How can taking aspirin prevent me from getting a stroke?
Aspirin reduces the risk of blood clots forming in your blood vessels. This reduces the risk of you getting a blockage in your blood supply, which can lead to a stroke.
Explanation
Clots can form within your blood vessels when tiny particles in your blood called platelets stick together. This traps blood cells and other particles which clump together and the clot gradually gets bigger. Sometimes a clot can grow so large that it blocks a blood vessel and prevents blood from flowing through. If a clot blocks the blood supply to your brain, this can cause an ischaemic stroke. Aspirin can reduce the risk of stroke by stopping the platelets from sticking together in the first place and so preventing blood clots from forming.
You should only take aspirin to prevent a stroke if you have been advised to by your doctor. Your doctor will only recommend that you regularly take aspirin to prevent stroke if you have had an ischaemic stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or if he or she thinks that you're at risk of this happening. Aspirin shouldn't be taken if you have previously had a haemorrhagic stroke, as this type of stroke isn't caused by blood clots.
Your doctor will let you know how much aspirin you should take and how often you should take it. You can take aspirin either as tablets or dissolved in water. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and ask your pharmacist for advice if you have any questions.
Sources
- Aspirin and stroke. The Stroke Association. www.stroke.org.uk, accessed 1 December 2008
- Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008: 131
Related topics
- Ischaemic stroke
- Cervical artery dissection
- Haemorrhagic stroke
- Stroke
- Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: March 2009
Ischaemic stroke factsheet
Visit the ischaemic stroke health factsheet for more information.
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