By "stroke" we mean an abrupt ("out of the blue") loss of certain functions of the brain. The usual cause in most cases is a sudden disturbance in blood flow in the brain in which the affected parts are no longer supplied with oxygen and nutrients. The nerve cells in the brain which are however supplied with oxygen carried by blood, can die because of the lack of blood flow. All depending on which parts of the brain are affected, this can result in the loss of important everyday capabilities manifesting as paralysis, loss of sensation, speech or vision. When a stroke occurs both the main cerebral arteries and also the small vessels in the brain can be blocked.

Find all you need to know about a stroke

The more information you have about what causes strokes and how to prevent them, the greater your chances are, even after a stroke, of staying courageous or even stopping it from ever getting to that stage.

A stroke is the 3rd most common cause of death

In Germany every year between 160,000 and 250,000 people have a stroke. Around 20 per cent of patients directly affected by a stroke die within four weeks and over 37 per cent within a year. It is the most frequent cause of disability and the third most frequent cause of death after cardiac infarction and cancer. The costs incurred because of strokes are estimated to be around 10,000,000,000 € a year. These figures not only make clear how widespread strokes are, but also how important it is to be well-informed about this affliction. Because many strokes can be avoided through the right actions and precautionary measures.

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• Read more: Stroke - Causes

• Read more: Stroke - Diagnostics