Initial symptoms include:

• weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• difficulty in speaking or understanding language
• sight loss or blurred vision

If you know anyone experiencing these symptoms the emergency services should be contacted immediately.

Aspirin is a common drug for both the prevention of strokes and taking the steps to reduce the likelihood of a stroke occurring again. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant so the blood is less likely to clot – which are a common cause of stroke, leading to the blockage of blood vessels.

Other medication may be prescribed such as Simvastatin (to lower cholesterol) and Atenolol (beta blockers that lower blood pressure) along with dietary advice and lifestyle changes.

Each person is different making such predictions difficult. However best recovery is usually within initial days or weeks. Once the initial recovery period is over a physiotherapist can help with physical movement while speech therapists can help with communication problems. After a stroke has occurred you may not be able to perform all tasks but the important thing is to remain positive.

Recovery can take a very long time so don’t give up. If you are not physically disabled you should exercise regularly and try to get yourself fit. It is also important to take all of the prescribed medication as they will significantly reduce the risk of another stroke, even if it seems like a high amount of different drugs to be taking.

A mini-stroke refers to a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) which is a loss of neurological function with symptoms lasting for less than 24 hours. They are caused by emboli and the pathogenesis is the same as an embolic stroke. The management of TIAs provide an opportunity to prevent a major stroke in the future. Management includes control of risk factors and use of aspirin or other anticoagulates.