An ischaemic stroke happens when a blood clot, or other blockage, cuts off the blood supply to your brain. This is the most common type of stroke.
A transient ischaemic attack, TIA, or mini-stroke, is the same as a stroke, but the symptoms last a short time. A TIA is a warning that you are at risk of having a stroke.
A haemorrhagic stroke is due to bleeding in or around the brain. While less common than strokes that are caused by a blockage, they can be much more serious.
Regularly drinking too much alcohol raises your risk of a stroke, so it's important that you don't regularly drink more than the recommended limit. This guide explains the link between alcohol and stroke and offers some useful tips for cutting down.
This leaflet explains why what you eat affects your risk of stroke and suggests some simple ways you can make your diet healthier.
Getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of a stroke. This guide explains how exercise can improve your health, suggests some activities for you to try, and gives some organisations and resources that can help you find a form of exercise that suits you.
Smoking doubles your risk of death from stroke, so quitting is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk. This guide explains the link between smoking and stroke, and what support is available to help you stop.
This book tells you what care should be provided after stroke. It is written for people affected by stroke and their carers. It's a short version of the detailed National Clinical Guideline for Stroke (5th edition).
Sign up here to receive our free guides featuring lots of useful information on what you need to know about stroke.