A stroke occurs when a part of the brain is suddenly damaged. If an artery carrying blood to and from the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot (known as thrombus) it causes a stroke. If an artery in the brain leaks then too it damages the brain and causes a stroke.

Small fatty lumps get deposited on the inside lining of arteries (blood vessels), causing hardening of the arteries. Patches of this fatty deposit are also called 'plaques' of atheroma. Blood clots are usually formed in arteries blocked by presence of some atheroma.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a stroke, particularly if you live with, or care for, somebody in a high-risk group, such as someone who is elderly, or those with diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension).

If you or anyone else is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned below please seek medical help immediately:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, which can make you drool saliva
• Sudden numbness in the arm or leg, especially on one side of the body- ranging in severity from weakness in your hand to complete paralysis
• Sudden trouble speaking or slurred speech
• Sudden confusion or difficulty in understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes   
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination   
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing,
• Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

People affected by strokes often have problems communicating their condition with others. Due to sudden physical inability to speak or move limbs they may not be able to raise an alarm, or alert others to the fact that something is wrong. It is therefore important to remain vigilant and try to understand what the person is going through, to act accordingly.

Even if the symptoms of a stroke disappear while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive, you, or they, should still go to hospital for an assessment because there is a risk that a full stroke may take place in the near future.