What can a stroke do year after the event?

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis of stroke. Sudden and unexpected diagnoses such as an old stroke can be confronting and confusing and bring up many emotions. Informing yourself is one way of coping with these emotions. However, also make sure that you are looking after your emotional well being and talking to your GP if you are concerned about how you are coping with this recent news.

Here is some information on understanding and preventing stroke that may inform some of the questions that you ask your health professionals. The Stroke Foundation’s EnableMe page also has a ‘Questions to ask’ page here which outlines questions that might be helpful to ask your health professionals, most of these are relevant regardless of the fact that your stroke was some time ago.

You are right, most of the research evidence and information resources advise that testing, treatment and rehabilitation soon after stroke is recommended. There are however, things that you can be doing now to help prevent further strokes.

Follow up with your GP and/or brain specialist (neurologist) is strongly recommended. They will be able to help guide the management of your stroke and suggest any medical tests that may need to be conducted to determine the cause of the stroke and any risk factors you might have for future stroke e.g. high blood pressure. Controlling your risk factors can reduce your risk of any further strokes, especially given you have the 'area of concern'. More information on preventing stroke can be found on our website: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Prevent-Stroke

Have you experienced any changes to your body or the way you carry out activities as a result of the stroke? This page: https://enableme.org.au/Resources/How-stroke-can-affect-you explains how stroke can affect you. If you are experiencing any deficits from the stroke you had many years ago you can still seek treatment from allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapist and speech pathologists. If you require assistance in accessing these health services please contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 to speak to one of our health professionals.

I would encourage you to also contact StrokeLine on the number above if you would like to discuss your situation further. A health professional can then provide specific, individualised information relevant to your situation. 

I hope this information is helpful and wish you all the best in fiding the answers to the quesitons you have.

Jessica (StrokeLine)