What is a stroke?
Every year, an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. That’s one person every five minutes. Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies. Around 1000 people under 30 have a stroke each year.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK. It is also a leading cause of severe adult disability. More than 250,000 people in the UK live with disabilities caused by stroke.
It could happen to you, or someone you care for. If it does, you'll want to know as much as you can about strokes. This section of the website explains what a stroke is, what causes it, and some of the physical and psychological effects it can have on people's lives.
In this section
Brain attack
Causes of stroke
Common symptoms
Transient Ischaemic Attack
Stroke can happen to anyone
Damage to the brain
Common problems
Download What is a stroke? leaflet - What is a stroke? (478 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.stroke.org.uk/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
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Download our factsheets
Other useful information
The Stroke Association
Preventing a stroke
When a stroke happens
After a stroke
Stroke rehabilitation
A-Z list of all leaflets and factsheets
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"Suddenly the lights went out. Seven hours later I woke up in hospital. I couldn't move my right side, and my speech had gone." David Diston
