Overview
Signs of stroke can be remembered using the F.A.S.T acronym:
- Face - has their face or mouth drooped?
- Arms - they can't lift both arms?
- Speech - is their speech slurred? Are they confused and don't understand you?
- Time - call 000 immediately if you answer 'yes' to any of the signs above
Other signs of stroke include weakness or numbness, dizziness, loss of vision, decreased vision and difficulty swallowing.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel, interfering with the blood flow or bursting the vessel. This results in bleeding or limited blood supply to the affected part of the brain.
What are the main causes of stroke?
Strokes are preventable and often reversible if treated quickly after you first notice stroke symptoms. Health conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking. Click here to learn more about how you can manage your risk of stroke.
Are stroke and an aneurysm the same condition?
No, sometimes stroke and aneurysm are used interchangeably, however, they are two different medical conditions. An aneurysm is a bleed in the brain caused by a weakened artery wall. An aneurysm can lead to a stroke, but a stroke cannot lead to an aneurysm.
Are there different types of strokes?
There are two major types of strokes – haemorrhagic and ischaemic.
What is a transient ischaemic attack?
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini stroke has similar symptoms to a stroke but symptoms only last for a few minutes. Though a mini stroke only lasts for a short time and is unlikely to result in permanent damage, it still requires immediate medical attention as TIA may increase your risk of a more severe stroke.
Diagnosis
Our nursing, medical and allied health staff provide high-quality, prompt and efficient care for patients and their families.
If you arrive at our Emergency Department (Epworth Richmond or Epworth Geelong), our team will work quickly to determine what type of stroke you have had and the cause, such as high blood pressure or head trauma.
If your doctor suspects a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), they may recommend the following examinations to confirm the diagnosis:
- Medical imaging
- Blood test
- Medical history
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Get referred
To receive a diagnosis or treatment from an Epworth specialist, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your GP and request a referral.
Treatment and management
If you have experienced a significant stroke, your treatment process will start from the moment you enter our hospital.
Ischemic stroke
- Thrombolysis
- Endovascular clot retrieval, or
- Intra-arterial thrombectomy
Haemorrhagic stroke
- Medication
- Endovascular procedures
- Surgery
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
- Medication to reduce the risk of stroke
- Clinical trials
Rehabilitation
Epworth offers a dedicated stroke rehabilitation program that incorporates a broad range of therapies to support all aspects of recovery, ongoing management of symptoms and prevention of stroke recurrence.
Our programs aim to maximise physical and cognitive independence, while also providing emotional and psychological support for you and your family.
Programs are custom made for everyone and can address strength, movement and spasticity, communication, memory, nutrition and returning to independent living.
Why choose Epworth for rehabilitation?
For more than 30 years, Epworth Rehabilitation has helped rebuild the lives of people with brain injuries and neurological disorders, including stroke.
Patients can access purpose-built gymnasiums, hydrotherapy pools and specialised rehabilitation equipment to support recovery. Our therapy spaces reflect real-life rooms to practice activities such as cooking, driving and returning to sport or other activities.
Our locations
For stroke
Treatment locations
Neurological rehabilitation locations
Your care team at Epworth
The multidisciplinary team for stroke may include a neurologist, neurosurgeon and allied health professionals such as an occupational therapist and speech pathologist.
Learn more about the health professionals in the neurology care team.
Choosing your Epworth specialist
Meet our specialist neurologists and neurosurgeons, accredited at Epworth.