Stroke is a condition in which the blood vessels carrying blood to the brain or within the brain are blocked. The blood vessels are responsible for supplying oxygen to the brain. Presence of a blood clot or rupture of the blood vessel leads to stroke.

When you have a stroke, the following symptoms are seen: loss of sensation on one side of the face, leg or hand; loss of vision in one or both the eyes; loss of speech; difficulty to understand others; sudden severe headache; and loss of balance while standing or walking.

Your doctor will initially take your family history and medication details and may order the following diagnostic tests after physical examination: blood tests to check sugar levels, clotting time and infection; scans to examine damage to the brain; sonography of blood vessels to check the presence of a clot or rupture; and ECG to check clots in the heart which may move towards the brain.

Yes, uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the causes of stroke. High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in your body. These weak blood vessels can burst or form clots obstructing the flow of the blood to the brain. Such conditions cause a stroke.

Yes, physiotherapy is useful in recovering from a stroke. Physiotherapy sessions can help you to gain back muscle strength depending on the intensity of your stroke. It also helps you to become independent and mobile. It may also help you have better control of bladder muscles, which may be affected due to stroke.