Disability Wellbeing Focus: Stroke
Q: What is a Stroke?
A: Blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted, leading to brain injury.
There are 3 main types of stroke:
- The majority of strokes are Ischemic strokes.This type of stroke happens when blood flow through the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked.
- A Hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures. The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them.
- A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) sometimes called a “mini-stroke”. It is different from the major types of stroke because blood flow to the brain is blocked for only a short time, usually no more than 5 minutes.
Q: What are the symptoms of a Stroke?
- Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
- Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Q: What are the impairments following a stroke?
Q: How do you recover from a Stroke?
The recovery journey usually starts in a local clinic or hospital. Some people recover from a stroke quickly, some people will always need ongoing treatment to continually recover. The recovery journey can be long term and fit in towards an adapted lifestyle.
Q: What therapy treatments would a stroke survivor enrol onto?
There are many different treatments for stroke survivors. These can be physical such as physiotherapy or exercise. Communication treatments such as speech and language therapy.

What we offer at BPT
Our specialist exercise therapy programme for stroke survivors will enable you to become fitter, stronger and improve your daily functional skills.
You can join us for private (1-to-1) or semi-private (small group) sessions at our BPT Therapy Gym at Holton Park.