Stroke

Last Reviewed: November 2023

General Information

An introduction to stroke can be found on the NHS web site.

In everyday life, however, data is more useful than theory. Using UK numbers:

  • Strokes used to be a killer, but now 90% of people survive them.
  • However, of those survivors, 2/3 are left with some form of disability.
  • In the UK (pop about 70M), there are 100,000 strokes each year.
  • Also in the UK (pop about 70M), about 1.3M of those people have suffered a stroke (and survived).

Aside from physical disability, a typical effect associated with a stroke is called aphasia, which is a problem with some part of the communication process. It can often make people appear “locked in”.

Because such a high number of people aere left disabled following a stroke, the Disability Rights charity is often a good port of call.

How I was affected personally

This is quite a big topic and I have written several posts on the subject: