The effects of stroke can vary widely depending on what part of the brain has been affected. When brain cells die, function of the body parts they control is impaired or lost, the following are some of the effects:

• Paralysis or weakness of one side of the body or just a part of the body causing problems with walking, balance, strength in the muscles
• Loss of sensation/numbness
• Loss of vision
• Difficulties in communication
• Swallowing difficulties
• Loss of intellectual ability/confusion/memory problems
• Emotional changes

Stroke kills more people in Ireland than lung cancer, bowel cancer and breast cancer combined. The Irish Heart Foundation, in association with the Department of Health and Children has commissioned the largest research project about stroke services ever undertaken in Ireland.

Full details of the report (2008) can be seen on the Irish Heart Foundation website.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide and constitutes a formidable burden of disability for patients, their carers and the wider community. Approximately 10,000 people experience a stroke each year in the Republic of Ireland (ESRI) and it is estimated that over 30,000 people in Ireland are survivors of stroke. Using international data, it is calculated that many who survive stroke have significant ongoing disability including hemiparesis (48%), inability to walk (22%), need for help with activities of daily living (24-53%), clinical depression (32%) and cognitive impairment (33%).