Stroke

A stroke event occurs when a part of the brain is starved of oxygen due to the blood supply being cut off. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die and this leads to brain injury in the part of the brain affected.

Most commonly, strokes are caused by the blood supply being stopped by a blood clot. This is called an ischaemic stroke and accounts for about 85% of all the strokes that occur.  Warfarin has a big part to play in helping to prevent ischaemic strokes happening in people who are at high risk of blood clots forming.

A less common form of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and starts to bleed. This is called a haemorrhagic stroke. The main cause of this type of stroke is high blood pressure. It should be noted, however, that haemorrhagic strokes can be the result of excessive levels of anticoagulants which is why Warfarin therapy should always be carefully monitored.