When a stroke happens
A stroke can be a frightening experience for both the person affected and their family. If you’re finding it difficult to take on board what has happened, this section outlines what you can expect in the first hours, days and weeks after a stroke.
A stroke involves a lot of immediate medical treatment and sometimes months or years of ongoing rehabilitation. The following links provide information to help you understand the hospital tests for identifying what has happened and why, how the care plan is structured according to individual needs, and other practical steps needed for the best possible recovery.
In this section
A stroke is a brain injury
Hospital tests
Swallow test
Heart and blood vessel tests
Going into hospital
Rehabilitation
From hospital to home
Get the leaflet
This section is also available as a leaflet:
![[pdf]](http://www.stroke.org.uk/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
This leaflet is also available in Portugeuse
More information on:
Balance problems after stroke
Carotid artery disease
Cognitive problems after stroke
Communication problems after stroke
Epilepsy after stroke
Hemiplegia and stroke
Dementia after stroke
Pain after stroke
Physical effects of stroke
Psychological effects of stroke
Stroke and continence
Swallowing problems after stroke
Taste changes after stroke
Tiredness after stroke
Visual problems after stroke
